While Missouri could have done more to secure a win on Saturday, the Tigers’ coaching staff may have done enough to woo a highly-regarded quarterback.
Come the end of the season, the Missouri Tigers have a problem to work on: Finding quarterback Drew Lock’s replacement. The Tigers could look from within their current roster, or they could land one of the hottest quarterback prospects on the market in Kelly Bryant.
Imagine, if you will, what this offense could look like with Bryant under center, while running backs Damarea Crockett, Larry Rountree, and Tyler Badie return for another year. Bryant would also have an array of weapons in the passing game, including Jalen Knox and Albert Okwuegbunam.
Bryant, formerly a quarterback for Clemson, visited Columbia on Saturday. What he saw was a talented offense and the best defensive performance the Tigers have displayed in some time. The culmination of events was a loss, but in an interview with The State, he still left feeling good about his visit.
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"It was definitely a great experience, great time, just really getting up there and just hearing from the coaches’ perspective and seeing for myself firsthand what all they’re about. I really could see myself there. To me, I felt like at the end of the day I look back, they checked all my boxes."
Last year, Bryant took over at quarterback, and led the Tigers with 2,802 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions for a 65.8 completion percentage.
Bryant also excelled as a ball carrier, extending plays for Clemson, with 665 yards rushing and an additional 11 touchdowns. Imagine what an athlete of his caliber could do for Mizzou.
So far, in addition to Missouri, Bryant has visited Arkansas and North Carolina, and has planned a return trip to Chapel Hill for an official visit. Bryant also plans to make one or two more official visits, one which may include Mississippi State.