In his fourth year at the helm, head coach Eli Drinkwitz led the Missouri Tigers to their first double-digit win season (11-2) and bowl victory (Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State) since 2014. But Drinkwitz and Co. have their sights set on more in the SEC, and they made several moves in the transfer portal to aid their ambitions.
Missouri Tigers 2024 Transfer Portal Moves
Although the Tigers lost 12 players to the portal, they brought in the same amount, with a handful of them expected to have massive impacts in 2024.
With offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, QB Brady Cook, and top WRs Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, and Mookie Cooper returning, SEC defenses will have their hands full in 2024. But that’s not even accounting for their revamped backfield.
Filling the shoes of 1,600-yard rusher Cody Schrader are two Sun Belt running backs: Georgia State’s Marcus Carroll and Appalachian State’s Nate Noel. Carroll ran for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and is built for between-the-tackle yardage.
Meanwhile, the 5’10” and 190-pound Noel provides a change of pace with his game-altering speed, averaging 5.9 yards per carry across four seasons and 547 attempts. Either transfer back could’ve produced for Missouri, but trotting out a combination of the two will only increase efficiency and maintain their wear and tear.
Yet, offenses are only as good as their offensive lines, and both graduations and the NFL Draft poached the Tigers’ talent up front. To counteract the effects of the mass exodus, Missouri brought in Cayden Green from Oklahoma, who played in 11 games and started five as a true freshman in 2023.
Green obviously has room to grow, both with his frame and technique. But he shined as a pass blocker from the left guard position, allowing zero sacks last season. His presence should be an amplifying force for the rest of the unit, especially if he can develop into a dominant run blocker.
MORE: Every Player Transferring In or Out of the SEC in 2024
However, Missouri wasn’t done retooling their offensive depth chart, as backup QBs Jake Garcia and Gabarri Johnson pursued opportunities elsewhere. As such, the Tigers earned commitments from Arizona State’s Drew Pyne and Southern’s Harold Blood.
With Cook under center, neither should see much playing time in 2024, but Pyne at least offers injury insurance at QB.
While Mizzou’s offense remains loaded, their defense will look drastically different from last season, specifically in the secondary. CBs Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine and safety Jaylon Carlies declared for the NFL Draft, as did LB Ty’Ron Hopper and potential top-50 pick DL Darius Robinson.
Missouri also lost three LBs to the transfer portal, necessitating an influx of talent on defense. And boy, did they provide just that.
In 26 career games, former Clemson CB Toriano Pride Jr. produced 36 tackles, eight PBUs, and one interception. He flashed his skill set in his lone start against Wake Forest last season, smothering WRs, breaking up passes, and making clean tackles in front of him.
At the second level, Corey Flagg Jr. comes over after serving as a rotational piece for four years in Miami. A strong run defender and effective pass rusher, Flagg will push returners Chuck Hicks and Triston Newsome for a starting role.
Pride and Flagg are big additions, but Tigers fans should be excited about the defensive line in 2024. Robinson’s departure leaves a first-round-sized hole, but the combination of transfers Sterling Webb, Chris McClellan, Darris Smith, and Zion Young will do their best to fill it.
Of Missouri’s four rotating DTs from last season, Kristian Williams is the only returner, and his starting position is likely secured. McClellan and Webb will battle for the other first-team slot, but they should both receive plenty of snaps regardless.
At 6’3″ and 325 pounds, McClellan is a gap-plugger who’s built to stop the run. On the other hand, Webb has utilized his 6’2″ leverage and quick hands and feet to pressure QBs from the interior.
KEEP READING: 2024 SEC Power Rankings
On the edge, Zion Young has received first-team reps during spring practice alongside Johnny Walker Jr. He started nine games for Michigan State last season and flashed his pass-rush ability. A true junior, he’s still learning to harness his 6’6″ and 265-pound frame, but Missouri will put him in position to succeed.
Last but certainly not least is prized Georgia transfer Darris Smith. He’s currently listed as a linebacker but will presumably see most of his snaps on the edge. A former four-star recruit, he didn’t see much playing time in the Bulldogs’ uber-talented D-line, but he has all the tools to wreak havoc as a pure pass rusher.
Missouri’s 2024 Transfer Portal Additions (12)
- Drew Pyne, QB (Arizona State)
- Sterling Webb, DL (New Mexico)
- Harold Blood, QB (Southern)
- Marcus Carroll, RB (Georgia State)
- Corey Flagg Jr., LB (Miami)
- Chris McClellan, DL (Florida)
- Darris Smith, EDGE (Georgia)
- Cayden Green, OT (Oklahoma)
- Toriano Pride, CB (Clemson)
- Nate Noel, RB (Appalachian State)
- Brady Hultman, LB (Wyoming)
- Zion Young, EDGE (Michigan State)
Missouri’s 2024 Transfer Portal Departures (12)
- Jake Garcia, QB (East Carolina)
- Gabarri Johnson, QB (Oregon State)
- Tyler Hibbler, DB (undecided)
- Ma’Kyi Lee, OT (North Texas)
- Demariyon Houston, WR (undecided)
- Xavier Simmons, LB (Charlotte)
- Carmycah Glass, LB (Louisiana)
- EJ Ndoma-Ogar, OL (Arkansas State)
- Val Erickson, OT (North Carolina State)
- DJ Wesolak, EDGE (Oregon State)
- Dameon Wilson, LB (East Carolina)
- Max Whisner, TE (Akron)
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!