Mizzou records highest-rated recruiting class in school history according to Rivals
Updated: Dec 17, 2020
National signing day 2020 has now come and gone and we can officially say that Eli Drinkwitz and the Mizzou staff have recorded the highest-ranked recruiting class in school history according to Rivals.com. Missouri signed 20 of its 22 commits and 6 four-stars including OL Connor Tollison, DE Kyran Montgomery, CB Daylan Carnell, QB Tyler Macon, DE Travion Ford, and WR Dominic Lovett. Missouri also signed 7 in-state prospects. The only two that are yet to sign are Tennessee running back B.J. Harris and Texas defensive end Shemar Pearl. This could be because of potential school that needs to be finished up or they're just waiting to sign. Missouri also closed out signing day with one surprise in three-star defensive end Arden Walker from Colorado.
View Missouri's full class here: https://missouri.rivals.com/commitments/football/2021
The highest ranked class prior to this year's was Gary Pinkel's 2015 class that ranked 21st. This makes Drinkwitz's class more impressive considering it's his first full recruiting class. If Mizzou can consistently recruit in the top-25 range then they will quickly close the talent gap and contend for the SEC East.
That being said, Mizzou was able to sign recruits from all over the nation including two four-stars from Indiana and multiple defensive backs from Florida. One commit in particular Mizzou fans should be excited for is three-star defensive back Davion Sistrunk from Melbourne, Florida. Sistrunk isn't very highly ranked but he's an extreme athlete with speed and length and he's only been playing football for one year which is why I believe why his ranking isn't what it should be. He has NFL potential. He's my pick for most underrated for the class and should find immediate playing time.
Now, Missouri's class ranks 8th in the entire SEC but that's the SEC. Mizzou fans shouldn't use that as a barometer. Here's where Mizzou's class ranks among other Power-Five conferences for perspective:
BIG10: Mizzou would rank 4th in the BIG10 only trailing Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State
BIG12: Mizzou's class would rank 3rd in the BIG12 only trailing Texas and Oklahoma
PAC-12: Mizzou's class would rank 3rd in the PAC-12 only trailing USC and Oregon
ACC: Mizzou's class would rank 4th in the ACC only trailing UNC, Miami and Clemson
That's pretty good company to be in. We will have to see who from the class becomes successful but for now Mizzou has momentum both on and of the field and will be able to utilize it going forward, especially bringing in so many in-state recruits that will influence the area for future classes.
Missouri will probably look to add 5-7 more signees including the two they're waiting on. Most of that number will most likely be grad-transfers though. Missouri will hit the transfer portal and on some other late high school prospects in February. Drinkwitz and staff will probably target OL, DL, LB, and WR to finish out.