Mizzou signs highest rated recruiting class in program history
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
21 student-athletes from across the country were welcomed into Eli Drinkwitz's "New Zou," as they signed their national letters of intents on Wednesday.
Mizzou's class was ranked No. 20 in the nation, according to Rivals. That's the highest rated class in MU history.
Six players from Missouri - and two from East St. Louis - signed to play for the Tigers.
"If you sign the best players in this state, you're going to sign a Top 25 class," Drinkwitz said on Wednesday night.
You can watch his full news conference in the video player below.
Early on Wednesday morning, the first couple of the signings came in, as offensive lineman EJ Ndoma-Ogar and linebacker Zach Lovett made it official.
Ndoma-Ogar, a transfer from Oklahoma, was the nation's No. 9 guard prospect coming out of high school.
He played four games in the 2019 with the Sooners.
Lovett chose the Tigers over offers from Louisville, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Iowa State, and more.
Defensive back Zxaequan Reeves also signed his national letter of intent.
The three-star recruit from Titusville, Florida committed to Missouri over Pitt, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, FAU, and Florida A&M.
Mizzou added its fourth signee of the day, with defensive tackle Realus George Jr.
The lineman announced he would be leaving the Miami Hurricanes in December of 2019 and he has since spent his time at Independence Community College.
Minutes later, Mizzou announced East St. Louis quarterback Tyler Macon signed his letter of intent.
The three-star recruit is rated as the No. 8 overall player in the state of Illinois.
Macon also had interest from Illinois, Central Michigan, Indiana, and Michigan State, but announced his verbal commitment to Mizzou early in the game.
Fellow East St. Louis native Dominic Lovett is also officially signed into Drinkwitz's program.
The three-star wide receiver flipped his commitment from Arizona State to Mizzou just one week before national signing day.
Colorado-native Arden Walker surprised Drinkwitz on Wednesday by signing with Mizzou over UCLA and Colorado on an Instagram live.
Walker's surprise signing now makes for 22 expected signees in Mizzou's 2021 signing class.
Mizzou football added the first of two committed tight ends, with the signing of three-star recruit Gavin McKay.
He held scholarship offers from Kansas, Indiana, FAU, and Liberty.
The Memphis-native was just the second player to commit to Drinkwitz's class of 2021 in January.
Defensive back Davion Sistrunk became the ninth signee of the day for Mizzou football.
The three-star recruit is one of five committed DBs in Drinkwitz's class.
He chose Coach Drink over offers from Baylor, Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Colorado.
Mizzou also announced a signing from defensive end Jon Jones.
The McKinney, Texas-native included Baylor, Colorado, Texas, and Nebraska in his final five, along with Mizzou.
According to 247 sports, he is the No. 40 strong-side defensive end in the country.
Darius "D.J." Jackson signed with Mizzou Wednesday afternoon.
The three-star recruit picked Missouri over Arkansas State, Kansas, Kansas State, and UConn.
Jackson was the first DB to verbally commit to Eli Drinkwitz's 2021 recruiting class.
Another St. Louis native signed his letter of intent with Missouri.
Former Desmet High School running back Taj Butts was the first running back to sign in the 2021 class.
The three-star recruit fielded offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, and Kentucky.
Minutes later, the program announced Butts' Desmet teammate Mekhi Wingo signed, as well.
He joins a large group defensive lineman signing on Wednesday. The D-line makes up more than a third of Mizzou's signing class.
He was the first prospect to verbally commit to Drinkwitz's 2021 class.
Another defensive back joined the ranks, with the signing of Tyler Hibbler.
The Trinity Catholic High School senior raked in four sacks and 68 tackles in his final season.
He also joins the list of St. Louis-natives moving to Columbia; there are six total.
Offensive lineman Connor Tollison signed with Mizzou.
The Jackson High School senior helped lead the Indians to a Class 5 state championship win in the 2020 season, ending in an undefeated season.
He chose Missouri over offers from Alabama, Arkansas State, Illinois, and Indiana.
Defensive end Daniel Robledo is officially with the "New Zou," as well.
The junior college-transfer chose the Tigers over Arizona, UCLA, Ole Miss, Houston, Washington State, and UCF.
The second linebacker of the day signed his national letter of intent.
Dameon Wilson comes to Mizzou from Grover, North Carolina, where he fielded offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, and East Carolina.
247 Sports pegs the three-star recruit as the No. 10 linebacker in the country.
The highest rated player in Drinkwitz's 2021 class signed his national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon.
St. Louis defensive end Travion Ford stuck with Mizzou over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The second tight end of Missouri's class made it official.
Washington, Missouri-native Ryan Hoerstkamp picked Drinkwitz's squad over Alabama, Arizona, Washington, and Arkansas.
Indiana-native Kyran Montgomery signed his letter on Wednesday evening.
The defensive end selected Missouri over offers from Arizona State, Ball State, Boston College, and Bowling Green.
Fellow Indianapolis native and defensive back Daylan Carnell signed at a joint-event with Montgomery.
The three-star recruit field offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Duke, and Indiana.
We will continue to update this article throughout signing day. Check back for updates.
