Cam Newton spent part of Monday in Columbia, and he didn’t just stop by - he showed up in Mizzou colors, walked the field, and spent time around Missouri’s football program.
Cameras caught the former Auburn star quarterback wearing black and yellow during the Tigers’ early-week practice at Memorial Stadium. Newton joined the team for its workout and also posted photos indicating he spoke with players during a meeting.
Newton has long stayed connected to the game through his work with young football players. He has run youth programs for years, and his flag football teams, tournaments and media platforms keep him close to the next wave of talent.
One of the players in that orbit is Missouri wide receiver Cayden Lee, who transferred from Ole Miss this offseason. Lee said Newton was one of the key voices helping him navigate the portal.
“He’s just been an amazing mentor to me, just helping me make this decision,” Lee told reporters on Aug. 11. “I was on the phone with him several times.”
Lee put up 106 receptions for 1,623 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons at Ole Miss, and Missouri is counting on him to be a major target this year.
“He was just like, ‘What are all the options? What are the different plays?’”
Lee recalled of his interactions with Newton. “And kind of telling me the pros and cons.
And he felt like this was a good decision for me as well as I did.”
Newton’s visit also carried a couple of familiar connections inside Missouri’s coaching staff. Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz was on Auburn’s 2010 staff as a quality control coach, and Missouri running backs coach Curtis Luper held the same title on that staff.
Missouri and Auburn have played some tight games in recent seasons, though they won’t meet this year. Still, Newton’s presence around the Tigers made one thing obvious: he remains invested in the young players around him. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he turns up again at Memorial Stadium, or even on a Missouri road trip, later this season.
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Mizzous All-American Buzz Comes With One Huge Ahmad Hardy Question
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Hardys status is the part that hangs over all of it. Missouri is still evaluating where things stand for the back, who is recovering from a gunshot wound, and the uncertainty leaves a notable gap in an offense that had been looking to feature him. For now, the attention around the Tigers comes with a question mark attached, and it is the sort of one that could shape how their preseason buzz translates once camp gets deeper. [Read more 🡒]