Missouri football lands a second 4-star recruit in less than 24 hours

Feb 3, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; The Missouri Tigers head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz is interviewed during halftime against the Kentucky Wildcats at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; The Missouri Tigers head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz is interviewed during halftime against the Kentucky Wildcats at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a Fourth of July weekend full of 4-Star recruits for Missouri football. Friday saw top-ranked RB Tavorus Jones commit to the Tigers, and Saturday saw Nebraska native Deshawn Woods join the squad.

Woods is ranked 19th in his position nationwide, and first overall in Nebraska according to Rivals. Despite still having another year of high school ahead of him, Woods’ size already matches well with his future Tiger teammates.

Woods had also received offers from Arizona State, Arkansas and Tennessee. He can also do this:

Yes, that’s Woods squatting 611 lbs.

This man is going to be a true force of nature for Missouri, and could wind up as one of the big pillars when it comes to protecting fellow Class of 2022 recruit Sam Horn.

The Class of 2022 is beginning looking like one of the best Missouri recruiting classes in recent memory. With Woods joining the squad, the class now has six 4-star players and there’s still plenty of time for more top players to join.

One 4-star commitment is a good start, five will have people turning heads, but six 4-star commitments, including 2 in less than 24 hours, that is a message to the entire country that Missouri football means business.

Dec 5, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz calls a timeout during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz calls a timeout during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a night-and-day difference from just a few years ago, when Barry Odom couldn’t even convince the top Missouri 4-stars to play for the Tigers. Now, the team seems primed for a future of success.

It’s easy to get over-excited about the future, of course, and these new guys still have to perform on the field, but it is clear that Missouri football is headed in the right direction.

The trick for head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and his staff is to continue this positive momentum. Use this wave of recruiting success to convince other top recruits that Missouri is the place to be, then utilize that top talent with good coaching and playing performances on the field.

It all seems too good to be true for the Tigers. Surely something will go wrong, right?

Maybe, but for now let’s all sit back, fire up the grill, get excited for the future of Missouri football, and have a nice Fourth of July weekend.