Rock M Nation - 2016 Mizzou National Signing DayA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2016-06-26T07:01:02-05:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/78068522016-06-26T07:01:02-05:002016-06-26T07:01:02-05:00Recruiting for 2016 is just about over
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<p>A 2016 JUCO chooses Minnesota, and a former Baylor signee, released from his LOI, zeroes in on Auburn and TCU.</p> <h5>
<img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5924823/IMOz6Gc.0.png"> Not a great recruiting weekend for Ol' Mizzou</h5>
<p>2016 JUCO OL Donnell Greene is off the board.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Next Stop 〽️innesota <a href="https://t.co/bv9fqRdqZL">pic.twitter.com/bv9fqRdqZL</a></p>
— Donnell Greene (@ITSME_DONNELLG) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITSME_DONNELLG/status/746796661054267393">June 25, 2016</a>
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<p>So is former Baylor running back signee Kameron Martin.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ex-Baylor RB signee Kameron Martin (<a href="https://twitter.com/TeamKamMartin">@TeamKamMartin</a>) has informed me that Texas is no longer an option. Auburn and TCU are his finalists.</p>
— EJ Holland (@EJHolland247) <a href="https://twitter.com/EJHolland247/status/746883721282871296">June 26, 2016</a>
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<p>That just about ends Missouri's efforts to add to the 2016 football roster.</p>
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<img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5924823/IMOz6Gc.0.png"> Meanwhile, in basketball...</h5>
<p>Jakeenan Gant is headed to Clemson</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mizzou basketball transfer Jakeenan Gant will transfer to Clemson.</p>
— Michael Karvelis (@MichaelKarvelis) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelKarvelis/status/745967106005569536">June 23, 2016</a>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://m.columbiatribune.com/sports/prep_sports/porter-brothers-choose-school-in-seattle/article_6de540b2-7868-5947-8fea-0c31be3d3ddd.html">The Trib: Porter brothers choose school in Seattle</a></p>
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<p>Michael Porter Jr. is a top-five recruit in the 2017 class, and Jontay Porter also is a heralded recruit in 2018 and has already committed to play at Washington, where [Brandon] Roy, a prep sensation in Seattle, starred before playing most of his six-season career in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers.</p>
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<p>Our own Sam Snelling went on KTGR and talked Missouri basketball recruiting. Check it:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270808318&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" height="166" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>Missouri did offer a 2018 hoops prospect recently:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Missouri has offered 2018 Wesley Christian (KY) F Christian Lorng after a great performance at their elite camp. <a href="https://twitter.com/WC_CircuitRider">@WC_CircuitRider</a></p>
— NextUpRecruits.com (@NextUpRecruits) <a href="https://twitter.com/NextUpRecruits/status/746877013399642112">June 26, 2016</a>
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<img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5924823/IMOz6Gc.0.png"> More Olympic trials today</h5>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mutigers.com/news/2016/6/25/womens-swimming-and-diving-lauren-reedy-to-compete-in-usa-diving-olympic-trials-finals.aspx">MUtigers.com: Lauren Reedy to Compete in USA Diving Olympic Trials Finals</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/mizzou-swimming-surges-to-omaha/article_588de8ad-3356-5e5d-ac87-b547af2c7d8d.html">Post-Dispatch: Mizzou swimming surges to Omaha, with eyes on Olympics</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/olympics/vianney-graduate-alexander-taking-a-shot-at-olympics/article_ccf9ee77-b02d-5f60-8bcf-f2b44e97a88b.html">Post-Dispatch: Vianney graduate Alexander taking a shot at Olympics</a></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">U.S. Olympic Team Trials in swimming begin tomorrow. Here's a list of Mizzou athletes competing: <a href="https://t.co/gMQxO1pMxQ">pic.twitter.com/gMQxO1pMxQ</a></p>
— Peter Baugh (@BaseBaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaseBaugh/status/746929630330789888">June 26, 2016</a>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-football-2016/2016/6/26/12032848/missouri-recruiting-football-2016-donnell-greene-kameron-martinOscar GambleBill Connelly2016-06-21T11:18:07-05:002016-06-21T11:18:07-05:00Mizzou hosting 2016 JUCO lineman<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/RockMRecruiting/status/745227311117524998">Mizzou hosting 2016 JUCO&nbsp;lineman</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>The Coffeyville CC tackle picked up an offer from the Tigers and is currently deciding between Missouri and Minnesota after having been released from his LOI to San Diego State.</p>
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<br /><p>Rated a three star by Rivals his most recent HUDL film is two years old. We'll update you with more as it becomes available.</p></p></div>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2016/6/21/11990502/mizzou-hosting-2016-juco-lineman-todayOscar Gamble2016-06-12T15:44:40-05:002016-06-12T15:44:40-05:00Report: Missouri adds Georgia OL for 2016
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<p>The 6'6, 330 pound lineman was just ranked a <a href="http://247sports.com/player/darvis-holmes-94064" target="new">4* by 247</a> and a <a href="https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/181228" target="new">3* by Rivals</a></p> <p>According to the Post-Dispatch's Dave Matter, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/georgia-lineman-plans-to-sign-with-missouri/article_9c3a68f6-f5f8-5cb2-a3f3-a1ecb3455453.html">Missouri has landed Georgia offensive lineman Darvis Holmes, a late addition to its 2016 recruiting haul</a>.</p>
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<p>Darvis Holmes, a lineman from Hinesville, Ga., plans to sign with the Tigers Sunday night after taking an official visit to campus this weekend, he said in a phone interview while traveling back from Columbia. [...]</p>
<p>Holmes said other major conference schools backed off of him because of eligibility concerns, but he expects to be fully eligible to enroll at Mizzou this summer, perhaps as soon as this week, he said.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I Just Signed ! It's Official University Of Missouri Is Home Sweet Home <br># MIZZOU'MADE</p>
— Darvis Holmes (@ThatDamnDeebo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThatDamnDeebo/status/742209023659888640">June 13, 2016</a>
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<p>If he really has qualified, this could be a late-game steal. Holmes is awfully light on his feet for being a reported 6'6, 330 pounds. Watching his film he lines up as a defensive tackle and as a massive blocking tight end. Adding him on either side of the line would bring sizable depth to the Tigers.</p>
<p>We'll find out soon enough if he is enrolled, but for now this is lovely news.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE</b>: According to <a target="_blank" href="http://southcarolina.247sports.com/Bolt/Missouri-lands-a-monster-late-addition-for-2016-45799789">247sports.com:</a></p>
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<p><span>"My coaches kept telling big schools that I wasn't eligible but the whole time I was eligible," Holmes said. "I had a 2.7 core GPA and I had the test scores. My coach kept telling people that I wasn't eligible and schools backed off of me."</span></p>
<p><span>Missouri didn't take no for an answer</span></p>
<p>"Missouri called my guidance counselor and my guidance counselor told them I was eligible and I had a 2.7 core. After they said that, they said do you want to come on an official visit."</p>
<p>The point of contention was a pre-calculus class that wasn't registered with the NCAA. When Missouri asked Long County High School to submit the class to the NCAA, it was approved and gave Holmes the GPA he needed to qualify. From there, things happened quickly.</p>
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<p>It would give Missouri 13 known scholarship linemen: juniors Nate Crawford, Alec Abeln, Tyler Howell, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/18/11706172/kyle-mitchell-missouri-offensive-line-commit-american-river-college">Kyle Mitchell (a recent JUCO commit)</a>, sophomores Samson Bailey, Kevin Pendleton, and Paul Adams, redshirt freshmen AJ Harris, Tanner Owen, and Tyrell Jacobs (unless Jacobs moves back to defense), and now three incoming freshmen: Trystan Castillo, Tre'Vour Simms, and Holmes.</p>
<p>For more on the current structure of Missouri's offensive line, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/pages/missouri-tigers-football-depth-chart">visit our projected depth chart page here</a>.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/6/12/11914944/darvis-holmes-offensive-line-missouri-football-recruiting-hinesville-georgiaBill Connelly2016-06-02T01:33:00-05:002016-06-02T01:33:00-05:00Two Tigers waylaid en-route to Columbia
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<p>Missouri's 2016 recruiting class lost some important pieces</p> <p>Running back Nate Strong and wide receiver Harry Ballard will not be enrolling at Missouri this fall. The news, first reported by Frank Cusumano, then confirmed by Gabe DeArmond, is that the two St. Louis athletes still need to improve their grades.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nate Strong the promising Running Back from East St. Louis won't be <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball">@MizzouFootball</a> until January 2017. Has some work to do in classroom.</p>
— Frank Cusumano (@Frank_Cusumano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Frank_Cusumano/status/738091403398500352">June 1, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Along w/Nate Strong, confirmed Harry Ballard III won’t be at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash">#Mizzou</a> this year. Going juco route. Rest of 2016 class reports this weekend</p>
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabeDeArmond/status/738151545859018753">June 1, 2016</a>
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<p>Nate Strong <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2016/2/3/10903568/natereace-strong-missouri-signing-day-2016-recruiting">officially signed with Missouri</a> on National Signing day in February after a detour to Hinds CC in Mississippi. He would have been the fourth product from Darren Sunkett's East St. Louis Flyers program, including Terry Beckner Jr., lineman Tre'Vour Simms and 2016 safety Greg Taylor who also attended Hinds last year. According to Cusumano, Strong will join the team in January of 2017.</p>
<p>Harry Ballard was a very late addition to the 2016 recruiting class and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-football-2016/2016/3/10/11104458/missouri-football-wide-receivers-chris-black-nate-brown-jmon-moore#pgh/28/5284.265625">the concern was always about his grades</a>. He reportedly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/2/10/10957842/harry-ballard-missouri-st-louis-receiver-2016#pgh/1/918.9375">had improved them enough</a> to enroll, but apparently will need to head to a JUCO.</p>
<p>2016 recruits Trey Baldwin, Cale Garrett and Tucker McCann have already enrolled and participated in spring football. Christian Holmes, DeMarkus Acy, Damarea Crockett, Trystan Castillo, Tre'Vour Simms are among several who have already announced they'll be in Columbia by this weekend.</p>
<p>Running back <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/9/11635630/alex-ross-oklahoma-running-back-missouri-football-recruiting-new-offers">Alex Ross, a grad transfer</a> from Oklahoma, is <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/etriebsch/status/736911817599909893">in Columbia already</a>, and should join <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/18/11706172/kyle-mitchell-missouri-offensive-line-commit-american-river-college/in/7806852">lineman Kyle Mitchell</a> as transfers who are immediately eligible.</p>
<p>With the loss of Strong and Ballard, Missouri is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/pages/mizzou-football-scholarship-count">sitting at 83 scholarships</a> - click the link for a helpful colorized chart of the scholarship situation. The Tigers have room to add two more over the summer, meaning lineman like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2016/5/27/11799828/mizzou-to-score-unc-grad-transfer">UNC's Will Dancy</a> or running backs like former <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/28/11804784/kameron-martin-baylor-running-back-release-missouri-tcu-texas">Baylor commit Kameron Martin</a>, are still options.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/6/2/11837614/nate-strong-harry-ballard-will-not-attend-missouri-this-fallOscar Gamble2016-05-28T08:32:02-05:002016-05-28T08:32:02-05:00Baylor signee will consider Mizzou
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<p>You only thought the 2016 class was finished...</p> <p>Yesterday, we found out that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2016/5/27/11799828/mizzou-to-score-unc-grad-transfer">UNC graduate transfer Will Dancy might end up in Columbia</a>. But he's not the only player who might find his way here:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">More from <a href="https://twitter.com/max_olson">@max_olson</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baylor?src=hash">#Baylor</a> signee Kameron Martin will ask for release and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash">#Mizzou</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCU?src=hash">#TCU</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Horns?src=hash">#Horns</a> high on list. <a href="https://t.co/iwZuDgc04C">https://t.co/iwZuDgc04C</a></p>
— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycrabtree/status/736317768841101313">May 27, 2016</a>
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<p>Martin is a four-star all-purpose back from Port Arthur, Tex. He was <a href="https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/148191" target="_blank">the No. 33 player in the state of Texas according to Rivals</a>, <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Kameron-Martin-19566" target="_blank">No. 39 according to the 247Sports Composite</a>. He committed to Baylor back in July 2014 and <a href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/baylorbears/2016/05/27/report-baylor-signee-kameron-martin-will-enroll-asks-release?hootPostID=4b8514d56a7446ff0f3d45e71feb01fe" target="_blank">even got a Baylor tattoo</a>. He is as Baylor as they come, but the scandal unfolding in Waco, which has already claimed Art Briles' job, has given him pretty obvious second thoughts. We'll see how things play out.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in 2017 recruiting news, <a href="https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/27290" target="_blank">League City (Tex.) defensive back Langston Frederick</a> is seeing his stock explode quickly. Still unrated by Rivals, he has offers from Iowa State, Michigan State, and now Missouri. <a href="https://missouri.n.rivals.com/news/texas-db-frederick-has-mizzou-michigan-state-in-top-2" target="_blank">He told PowerMizzou's Pete Scantlebury that MSU and Mizzou are his current top two</a>. He wants to make a decision within a couple of months, but we'll see what happens if more big schools call.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/28/11804784/kameron-martin-baylor-running-back-release-missouri-tcu-texasBill Connelly2016-05-18T18:10:28-05:002016-05-18T18:10:28-05:00JUCO OL Kyle Mitchell commits to Mizzou
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Extreme proud to say I have officially committed to Mizzou!<br>I will always remain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeaverBuilt?src=hash">#BeaverBuilt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LWG?src=hash">#LWG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARC?src=hash">#ARC</a> <a href="https://t.co/MTMStsDKVP">pic.twitter.com/MTMStsDKVP</a></p>
— KyLe Mitchell (@TheKrustyBuck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKrustyBuck/status/733050993026306048">May 18, 2016</a>
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<p>Missouri was in desperate need for extra depth on its 2016 offensive line, and it appears the Tigers have added 6'5, 305-pound junior college tackle Kyle Mitchell from American River College in Sacramento. He is a freshman qualifier who, if I understand correctly, will have four years to play three in college. He was an all-conference selection this past fall.</p>
<p>New recruiting coordinator AJ Ofodile gets the tweet:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/5aCrC83KRq">pic.twitter.com/5aCrC83KRq</a></p>
— A.J. Ofodile (@MUcoachAO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MUcoachAO/status/733080928621203456">May 18, 2016</a>
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<p>You can see Mitchell's highlights above. He is a pretty agile guy for 305 pounds and certainly enjoys finishing blocks.</p>
<p>You never want to assume some instant, incredible impact from a guy who signs this late in a recruiting cycle, but Mitchell is a big body who can both provide immediate depth and potentially develop into something impressive down the line. With the addition of both Mitchell and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-football-2016/2016/5/15/11678298/report-oklahomas-alex-ross-to-transfer-to-missouri">Oklahoma graduate transfer Alex Ross this week</a>, Mizzou has addressed two significant 2016 needs. That's a good week.</p>
<p>Welcome, Kyle!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/5/18/11706172/kyle-mitchell-missouri-offensive-line-commit-american-river-collegeBill Connelly2016-04-14T19:42:29-05:002016-04-14T19:42:29-05:00St. Louis QB joins Mizzou <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2643457/highlights/313518468" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Evan Johnson <a href="https://twitter.com/8evanjohnson/status/720747171130118145" target="new">announced on twitter</a> he would be playing for Mizzou this year. Johnson confirmed to us he's a preferred walk on and told us he visited with the team on Tuesday, attending a QB film meeting and receiving the invite from coach Andy Hill.</p></p>
<p><p>Information is difficult to find about the 6'2, 180 pound class of 2016 QB from Westminster, but according to his HUDL (embedded above) he completed 156/235 passes (66%) for 2,756 yards with 34 TDs against just 5 interceptions.</p></p></div>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2016/4/14/11436318/st-louis-qb-evan-johnson-joins-mizzous-2016-classOscar Gamble2016-03-06T00:21:14-06:002016-03-06T00:21:14-06:00Harry Ballard visiting Mizzou with Cornell Ford<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Harry_Ballard12/status/706272501744009216">Harry Ballard visiting Mizzou with Cornell&nbsp;Ford</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Harry Ballard, <a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-football-recruiting/2016/2/10/10957842/harry-ballard-missouri-st-louis-receiver-2016" target="new">the stud St. Louis receiver who was a late addition to Mizzou's 2016 recruiting class,</a> was on campus this weekend along with TE Brendan Scales. As far as we're aware, Ballard remains unsigned and is trying to avoid an academic redshirt year by improving his grades. Perhaps this weekend's visit was a positive sign?</p></p></div>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2016/3/6/11168126/harry-ballard-visiting-mizzou-with-cornell-fordOscar Gamble