Mizzou adds fifth defensive player to transfer portal haul

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A fifth talented transfer on the defensive side of the ball will soon call Columbia home.

Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff received a pledge from former Virginia Tech safety Mose Phillips III, the second player at that position to join the Tigers this offseason.

The Tennessee native will be entering his junior season in 2025, following a sophomore campaign where he finished tied for third place on the Hokies in total tackles (65) and posted 3.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble over 12 games. During his freshman year, he registered 27 tackles and one forced fumble over 13 appearances at Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-2, 193-pound safety becomes the seventh student-athlete to commit or sign with Mizzou's current transfer portal class, which includes running back Ahmad Hardy, defensive lineman Langden Kitchen, linebacker Josiah Trotter, linebacker Mikai Gbayor, safety Santana Banner and wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.

MU's transfer portal class is currently the No. 8-ranked group in the nation, according to On3.