Welcome to the Morning Commute
Today we are talking about… You guessed it, Mizzou Football! (How could we not?!)
Over the weekend numerous additions happened on both the portal front and the staff front.
Some of the hires included former
Clemson OC Garrett Riley, AC Brendan Bognar, Scouting specialist Roman Goode and former Tennessee assistant Levorn “Chop” Harbin. Some solid hires ahead of the new season with OC Kirby Moore and other staff out.
There was also some staff news regarding Mizzou’s special teams coordinator Erik Link:
The Tigers were also productive in the portal grabbing players like Kansas State OL Will Kemna, Florida State EDGE Jaden Jones, Florida WR Naeshaun Montgomery and Miami DL Donta Simpson. Our team has been getting coverage out nonstop to keep you guys covered.
Along with that, the Tigers hosted a bunch of potential portal targets over the past couple weeks. Check out a full list here.
For all the transfer portal updates check out our portal tracker here.
This is definitely an ongoing subject so the best way to stay updated is the Rock M+ forums!
We have more discussion on football and basketball, diving into prospects, visits and PFF grades in the Rock M+ forums.
Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+
Welcome to Rock M Nation’s Mizzou Football Transfer Tracker, where we’re keeping tabs on everything going on with Mizzou’s transfer portal activity. If you want more discussion and speculation, you can join us over at Rock M+ where we’ve got a forum set up discussing all news both reported and rumored.
For an overlook of everything that has happened thus far in an action-packed opening to the transfer portal, check out our tracker.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound lineman hails from Helias High School where he led his team to a state championship senior year while earning all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association. The offensive lineman also earned all-district honors junior year. Out of high school, Kemna was ranked N0. 50 by On3 and No. 46 by Rivals for the Class of 2025 Offensive Tackles.
A pretty successful instate talent that the Tigers are bringing in. Could be good with the departures of Connor Tollison, Dominick Giudice and Keagan Trost.
Felix joins Mizzou from a highly respected program that has seen Luther Burden III and Jameson Williams pass through, among other notable football talents, and becomes the latest developmental addition to the defensive tackle room.
Coming from an elite program is a good sign. Felix could be a member of the Class of 2026 to keep an eye on.
Prior to his offensive coordinator stints, Riley spent three seasons with the Kansas staff — being hired as an offensive analyst in 2016 then switching to quarterbacks coach in 2017 and mentoring the Jayhawks tight ends and fullbacks in his final season — and then was hired by Eli Drinkwitz and Appalachian State in 2019. The two coached together for one season before Drinkwitz packed his bags for Columbia and Riley packed his bags for SMU. Both earning upgrades after a strong season.
If you’re curious, here’s the connection and the reason Drinkwitz picked him. I’m excited for this one. Should be a strong addition.
However, the potential is there as Montgomery was rated as a former four-star recruit via On3/Rivals and had big time offers from LSU, Penn State, Miami, and Alabama out of high school. The West Palm Beach native becomes Missouri’s 12th overall addition in the transfer portal as Eli Drinkwitz and the staff continue to build the 2026 roster.
Strong recruit, could’ve just been in the wrong spot. Only time will tell but give Austin Simmons as many options as possible.
The Tigers aren’t completely bare at EDGE, as they return two prospective starters in Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen. But they’ll need a lot of players to replace the production of Zion Young and Damon Wilson II. Jones gives Batoon a high floor option who will be determined to prove that he can contribute more at the SEC level.
Similar to giving Simmons options at wide receiver, getting as many options as possible at EDGE is big. It’s hard to replace Mizzou’s guys from this season.
While Simpson likely wasn’t expecting to see much time in the CFP originally, Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. went down with a leg injury in one of the first plays of Miami’s matchup against Ole Miss. Then in the fourth quarter, yet another Miami player in Akheem Mesidor headed to the medical tent with an arm injury. He returned later but his health is still up in the air. Simpson likely could have had a shot if he didn’t enter the portal, but who knows where that would’ve led with the current state of Miami football. The Hurricanes are likely to do some serious portal work once their playoff run is over.
Interesting situation here. I still think getting out was probably a smart move. Mizzou should benefit greatly from this. Keep an eye on the name Simpson.
But the Tigers struggled mightily from the 3-point line (7-of-24) and, more pertinently, the charity stripe (12-of-24). Mizzou entered Saturday shooting just 67.4% as a team from the free-throw line, and its woes hurt them badly in a winnable contest.
Free throw shooting appeared to be crucial for Mizzou in this one. Back to practice.
But the Tigers struggled mightily from the 3-point line (7-of-24) and, more pertinently, the charity stripe (12-of-24). Mizzou entered Saturday shooting just 67.4% as a team from the free-throw line, and its woes hurt them badly in a winnable contest.
Free throw shooting appeared to be crucial for Mizzou in this one. Back to practice.
Right now there are two teams at 3-0, and only one of them is in the top 40 in KenPom.com, that’s Vanderbilt. Vandy is currently 5th, and Texas A&M is 41st. Everyone else has at least one loss, seven teams have two losses, and LSU is 0-3. Teams with two losses you might not expect? Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama. Mizzou is tied with 5 teams at 2-1.
Vanderbilt was not on my bingo card for being atop the SEC three games in.
- MUT&F from Sophie Silvers: Tigers Dominate Alexis Jarrett Invitational with Six First-Place Finishes
For the women, the Tigers had a strong presence placing all five of their athletes in the top five. Petra Gombas led the way, winning the event with her fifth attempt placing higher than Reagan Kimrey at 19.19. Kimrey finished second with a throw of 19.12m, followed by Delilah Pippen with a personal best and Ames Burton who finished third and fourth with throws of 16.72m and 16.62m. Kaitlyn Morningstar with a personal best added a fifth-place finish, giving Missouri representation in every top-five position.
Super strong outing from MU T&F. The Tigers will have their next meet at home once again, for the Show-Me Showdown on Friday.
Over at Rock M+ we have more Mizzou football discussion and basketball discussion with the transfer portal picking up for football, and SEC play picking up for basketball.
From Rock M Radio: Dive Cuts
In this show, the Matts get together and break down Missouri’s 73-68 win AT Kentucky. This game featured a big late comeback in the final four minutes to beat the reeling Wildcats for the programs first ever win in Rupp Arena. Join in and enjoy the show!
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