The Missouri Tigers are making waves in the 2025 transfer portal, building a roster capable of contending for an SEC championship. According to On3, their No. 2-ranked transfer class is loaded with talent, but a few roster gaps remain.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz is leveraging the portal to address these needs, aiming to elevate Mizzou to the top of the SEC. Here’s a look at their transfer class, the holes they need to fill, and what they must do to compete in 2025.
What Missouri Tigers Need To Do To Fill The Gaps?
Transfers:
Missouri has secured 17 transfers this cycle, forming the nation’s second-best class, trailing only Texas Tech, according to On3’s Team Transfer Portal Index. Key transfers include:
QB Beau Pribula (from Penn State): A dual-threat quarterback, Pribula brings 571 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns over two seasons. With 56 career passes, he’s a high-upside competitor to replace Brady Cook and challenge Sam Horn for the starting role.
WR Kevin Coleman Jr. (from Mississippi State): A third-team All-SEC slot receiver, Coleman racked up 932 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. His speed and playmaking complement star Luther Burden III, stretching defenses.
EDGE Damon Wilson II (from Georgia): A former five-star recruit, Wilson recorded three sacks in 2024. He bolsters a defensive line that lost contributors to the NFL, adding elite potential to the “Death Row” defense.
S Jalen Catalon (from UNLV): A third-team All-American, Catalon had five interceptions in 2024. He addresses Mizzou’s need for secondary playmakers after a shaky pass defense last season.
Other notable additions include offensive linemen Keagen Trost (Wake Forest), Johnny Williams IV (West Virginia), and Dominick Giudice (Michigan), linebacker Josiah Trotter (West Virginia), and tight end Vince Brown II (Colorado State). Mizzou’s class ranks behind only Ole Miss in the SEC, positioning them as a rising power.
Where Mizzou Needs Help
Despite this talent influx, Missouri’s roster has two key areas to address to become a true contender:
1) Offensive Line
The Tigers struggled with pass protection in 2024, allowing significant pressure and losing starters Armand Membou, Marcus Bryant, and Cam’Ron Johnson to the NFL. Transfers like Trost, Williams, and Giudice add depth, but Mizzou needs another experienced tackle or guard to protect Pribula or Horn and support running back Nate Noel.
2) Edge Rusher Depth
Missouri’s edge rush took a hit with Johnny Walker Jr.’s eligibility expiring and Jaylen Brown entering the portal. The team generated 32 sacks in the SEC in 2024, respectable but middle-of-the-pack. While Damon Wilson II and Nate Johnson (10 sacks over 25 games) are substantial additions, depth is a concern.
3) Tight End
Initial concerns about the tight-end position were overstated. Brett Norfleet is expected to return in 2025 after surgery, and Vince Brown II adds a 6’6” target with JuCo experience. Depth from Jordan Harris and Jude James further stabilizes the room. Meanwhile, Missouri could monitor the spring portal for a pass-catching tight end. The good news is this isn’t a big priority.
Drinkwitz’s recruiting talent is evident in Missouri’s 10-3 record 2024, capped by a Music City Bowl win and their 2023 Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State. The 2025 schedule, featuring marquee matchups against Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, offers transfers a stage to shine, making Mizzou an attractive destination. The spring transfer window provides another opportunity to fine-tune the roster, particularly on the offensive line.
With a talented core led by Burden, Coleman, Wilson, and Catalon, Missouri is poised for a breakout in 2025. If Drinkwitz secures an elite offensive lineman and bolsters edge rusher depth, the Tigers could challenge SEC giants like Georgia and Alabama.
KEEP READING: 2025 Transfer Portal: Top 5 Spring Transfers in College Football
The pieces are in place. It’s about making the right moves to shape this roster into a championship contender.
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