Missouri Tigers: 3 New Recruits That Could Have Immediate Impact

The Missouri Tigers don’t need any more proof that their approach to recruiting is the right way to do things. Two SEC East division titles on previously believed to be “rebuilding” years is plenty of evidence.

And it’s a funny thing. Because if you asked in college football expert right now, they’d tell you that the 2015 Missouri Tigers are almost in the exact same position as the 2014 version.

Pass rushing M.V.P. players needing to be replaced, an almost complete turnover in the wide receiving core, a change at starting running back and a quarterback still looking to come into his own—this scenario nearly mirrors the one they faced a year ago.

Gary Pinkel has a knack for recruiting and developing the Missouri Tigers’ players. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports.

It’s a good thing, then, that head coach Gary Pinkel and the Mizzou coaching staff has both committed to the development of the players and instilled a mindset that the team can win.

Whether they have some grand magical wizardry allowing for those things to happen or if they actually know what they’re doing, the Tigers have shown their ability to play beyond their years.

The 2015 addition looks to repeat that process.

The dust has settled. National Signing day is in the books. Mizzou had a great recruiting year, breaking into the top 25 in the rankings of the schools recruiting classes.

With that, there is the possibility that some young players have an important role sooner rather than later. Here are the top three players on the Missouri Tigers that could have an immediate impact.

Terry Beckner Jr.,

DL, East St. Louis High School

The most marquis signee for the Tigers will also be the first of the young guns to get playing time for Mizzou. He’s strong, agile and can torment quarterbacks much in the vein of Shane Ray, Michael Sam or Kony Ealy. But he’s also a strong tackler who can stand up running backs and keep big plays at bay. If he’s in there on the first snap of the season, don’t be at all surprised. This is Mizzou’s prize catch, and judging by the losses on the defensive line this past year, they certainly will need him early and often.

Chase Abbington

RB, Hutchinson Junior College

Count Abbington as a player who will get playing time right off the bat. With a plethora of running backs ready to suit up for the Tigers this year, expect this swift runner to come in right behind Russell Hansbrough and Ish Witter as the third in line. With his size and strength, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had many more carries than Ish did as the third back last year. He’s the kind of player that will start a long-tenured and stat-producing career in college.

Missouri Tigers /

Missouri Tigers

Emanuel Hall

WR, Centennial High School, Franklin, Tennessee

Speed, strength, size and smarts. These S-words are exactly what you’re going to get with this high school star wide receiver. The Tigers coaching staff are billing him as a player that is physically ready to play wide receiver in the college ranks. Of course, it’s a big step from senior year of high school to freshman year of college. But the Tigers like the odds with Hall. Like last year, Mizzou will be in desperate need of young wide receivers playing older than their age this year. Frazier is the kind of guy that can come in and be the third or fourth guy right off of the bat. He won’t be any kind of star, but expect him to have a role early.

Honorable mentions include defensive players like defensive end Marcell Frazier—who is fast, athletic and intelligent—and linebacker Terez Hall, who is as quick as they come for a young player at that position.

The Tigers also brought in some offensive lineman that might have a key role, which is vital. That group was supposed to be one of the best in the nation last year and did nothing but keep Maty Mauk running for his life all season.

But these are three names on the Missouri Tigers that you will almost certainly hear going into 2015 and beyond.

More from Truman's Tales

Home/Football Recruiting