[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Here's my take on the recruiting class:

The Stars:

I think there are two players in this class with the potential to be really elite college players.

Spoiler!

DT/DE Terry Beckner: The elite guy is the place to start, I think. Beckner has great burst and quickness for his size, and I think he's going to be a great DT once he gets some high level instruction from Coach Kul. Honesty, hearing him talk yesterday, I think Missouri led for a long, long time. And all the buzz about the blue blood schools was just because people 1) LIstened to the wrong guy (Again... listen to Darren Sunkett on ESTL kids, Steve Wiltfong); 2) disbelief that he might choose Mizzou over the blue bloods. I expect him to be part of the rotation on the DL as a true freshman.

I think Beckner, if he works hard (a question for some with him), has the ability to be a huge impact player/line anchor. And future 1st round NFL pick, of course...

QB Drew Lock: I’m really high on this kid. I think he’s going to be Pinkel’s best QB (yes, that includes Chase Daniel). He doesn’t have quite the physical talent that Blaine Gabbert did, but he’s got a lot more moxy and playmaking ability when things start going badly. Some of that “gamer” factor that made Daniel so good. And he’s a good enough athlete that if he played hoops full time, he’d be Missouri’s best recruit there, too (he’d be a top 100-150 type, I think). Even as it is, he plays on a better AAU team than any currently committed basketball recruit for Mizzou…

The WRs

Help is needed in 2015, and this group offers a nice combination of size, speed, upside and Day 1 readiness.

Spoiler!

WR Emmanuel Hall: Someone I’ve been excited about for a while. He’s got nice speed and nice size and seems pretty polished. He’s got a great shot to play from Day 1, and Missouri needs the help. I think he is the best bet from the freshmen to crack the 2015 rotation.

WR Justin Smith: Might have the most upside of any of the WRs Missouri has added in this class. He’s 6-7/6-8 and is also a 3-star basketball recruit. He hasn’t been playing football long, but has deceptive speed due to his stride, good ball skills and leaping ability, and is very strong for his size (banging inside in hoops, I guess). He might need a redshirt, but I could see him being a major weapon down the road.

WR Johnathan Johnson: Tenn. kid who reportedly had a Tenn. offer. He reminds me a lot of Marcus Murphy in the open field, though he’s going to play WR rather than RB. I think he’s got a great shot to be the kickoff/punt guy right away. Really dynamic in the return game. He also should be a potential weapon on jet sweeps.

WR Richaud Floyd: Could also force early PT. He’s a speed/slot type who was a little underrated, IMO, because he played HS QB.

WR Ronnell Perkins: St. Louis athlete with big upside, probably needs a redshirt. Has the size/ball skills/speed potential to be a quality outside receiver. Also could be flipped to defense based on need.

The RBs
Really deep group with a lot of versatility. Starting to see Mizzou recruit some bigger backs for the offense.

Spoiler!

RB Nate Strong: Highly rated East St. Louis guy is already enrolled in JUCO and apparently plans to graduate and be ready to enroll at Mizzou in January 2016. He’s big, strong, and fast. Might also end up at LB.

RB/ATH Marquise Doherty. I’m not sold on him staying at RB, and Doherty also is a risk to get drafted high enough in the MLB draft to go that route. His size is an asset at RB or as a very athletic safety. High quality athlete.

RB Chase Abbington: JUCO RB who will have 3 years to play 3 (he redshirted at JUCO to save a year of eligibility). He’s also a bigger RB and has the ball skills to be a receiving option. Good, not great speed. Style-wise, I think he’s similar to Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd.

RB Ryan Williams: Lee’s Summit West product was one of the earliest commits in this class. He’s the only RB in this class who fits Mizzzou’s traditional small/quick RB template. Doesn’t have great top end speed, but is quick and makes good, one-read cuts.

DLINE ZOU

This is the team's bread and butter on D. I think this is the best group Missouri has recruited in a single class. Counting Beckner, Missouri signed 5 DL who ALL have the potential to be high-round NFL picks.

Spoiler!

DE Marcell Frazier: JUCO DE who also has 3 to play 3. They made him a priority when Ray going to the NFL early became obvious. Has a blend of size and speed at 6-4, 265. Should jump right into the rotation at DE and could challenge for a starting spot.

DE Nate Howard: Destined for a redshirt and will probably be physically transformed by the time we see him as a redshirt freshmen. Like Kony Ealy, Marcus Loud and Aldon Smith, he’s a tall, lean athlete with a lot of room for good weight and strength addition. Huge upside.

DE Josh Moore: Apparently, there’s still a chance he qualifies, but I bet he redshirts regardless. They’re going to start him at DE, but Kul is raving about his athleticism. Says he could play just about anywhere on D (DE, DT, LB, even S).

DT Tyrell Jacobs: Listed as a DE but will play DT in college. Former Oklahoma commitment, will redshirt, work on adding good weight, and likely be a factor as a redshirt freshman. Really like his quickness and burst.

LBs
Just two in this class, but I really like the size, athleticism and blend of readiness and long-term upside here.

Spoiler!

LB Terez Hall: Apparently, Georgia made a late push. Hall is an athletic kid who chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Georgia, and Wisconsin. He could play right away as a special teams contributor and has legit NFL potential.

OLB Franklin Agbasimere is a tremendous story. Nigerian kid who has been in the states two years and is incredibly raw. He’s a freak athlete, though. Just dripping with NFL potential. I think he needs a redshirt, but the sky is the limit with good coaching (he has the physical skills to be Missouri’s best LB since Sean Weatherspoon).

OL
Helping make sure Taylor Chappell is not the best option at LT in 2015. They took two JUCO Ts in this class, which means they're looking for some immediate help next year.

Spoiler!

OT Malik Cuellar: Will have an opportunity to start right away at LT. Good size and athleticism on this JUCO, who also has three years of eligibility left. Enrolled in Dec. and will participate in Spring practice.

OT Tyler Howell: Another JUCO, Howell is massive (6-9). Needs to improve his flexibility and knee bend, but he has the potential to be a mauler. I could see them lining him up on the right side in Year 1 and letting him team with McGovern and Boehm to make that a very strong run side for Mizzou in 2015.

OG AJ Harris: Might skip the redshirt and get into the two deep at G right away. Harris is strong and really holds up well in the phone booth. Nice insurance if existing options don’t progress as needed/wanted.

OT Tanner Owen: Owen is already enrolled and is kind of a wild card. He has the look of those small-town Missouri OL, who spend 2-3 years in the program before being really strong as juniors and seniors. Also enrolled early.

The Athletes (can help in multiple areas)

Spoiler!

ATH Cam Hilton. St. Louis kid who will play defense, from the way it sounds. Good athlete with the size to play S or CB. Probably a safety

ATH TJ Warren. Warren is going to play corner, from the way it sounds right now. I think he’s got an excellent shot to be the next CB who forces his way into the rotation as a freshman. Really dynamic athlete.

A few surprised even you!