Missouri football didn’t waste any time on transfer portal deadline day, reloading its roster with three key additions: Minnesota wide receiver Kenric Lanier II, Charleston Southern offensive lineman Colin Sorensen, and Montana running back Va’aimalae Fonoti III. It’s a trio that speaks to both immediate needs and long-term depth, as the Tigers continue to reshape their roster heading into 2026.
Let’s break down what each of these new faces brings to Columbia - and how they fit into the bigger picture for Mizzou.
Kenric Lanier II: A Depth Piece With Upside at Wide Receiver
Missouri’s wide receiver room has been hit hard this offseason. Between graduations (Kevin Coleman Jr., Xavier Loyd) and transfers (Marquis Johnson to Mississippi State, Joshua Manning to Kansas State), the Tigers needed reinforcements - and fast. Enter Kenric Lanier II.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Lanier comes from Minnesota, where he spent three seasons as a reserve. His numbers don’t jump off the page - just four career catches, including three for 79 yards last season. But one of those grabs went for 52 yards against Northwestern State, showing he’s got some pop when given the opportunity.
Lanier still has two years of eligibility left, and while he may not be a plug-and-play starter, he gives Mizzou something it badly needed: depth. With four transfer wideouts coming in during this portal window, the Tigers are clearly focused on rebuilding the position group from the ground up. Lanier may be more of a developmental prospect, but he’ll have a chance to carve out a role - especially if he can prove himself in spring and fall camp.
Colin Sorensen: Experienced FCS Starter Bolsters Offensive Line
Offensive line depth is always at a premium in the SEC, and Missouri continues to build out its trenches with the addition of Colin Sorensen. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman started 20 games over the past two seasons at Charleston Southern, including as a true freshman in 2024 - a rare feat, regardless of level.
Sorensen played left tackle last year and earned third-team All-Big South honors from Phil Steele. He’s the fourth O-line addition for Mizzou in this transfer cycle, and while he may not be penciled in as a starter, he brings valuable experience to the depth chart.
He’s likely to back up either Cayden Green or Josh Atkins at left tackle in 2026, depending on how the rotation shakes out. According to Pro Football Focus, Sorensen allowed 23 pressures and six sacks last season on 378 pass-blocking snaps - numbers that show he’s still developing, but also that he’s battle-tested.
For a Tigers team looking to solidify its protection for a potentially explosive offense, Sorensen is a smart addition - someone who can step in if needed and push the starters in practice.
Va’aimalae Fonoti III: Reinforcements at Running Back
With the addition of Va’aimalae Fonoti III, Missouri appears to have wrapped up its running back recruiting for 2026. And it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.
The Tigers are returning their top two backs in Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts - a duo that’s about as solid as it gets. Hardy was just shy of unanimous All-American honors last season, and Roberts thrived in his role as a high-level No. 2 option.
But behind them? The depth chart was wiped clean by the transfer portal.
That’s where Fonoti comes in. At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, the Montana transfer brings a physical presence and three years of eligibility. Over the past two seasons, he rushed for 418 yards and five touchdowns on 84 carries - not eye-popping numbers, but enough to show he can contribute when called upon.
Fonoti joins Houston Christian transfer Xai’Shaun Edwards as part of a revamped backup unit. He’s likely to slot into an emergency or rotational role, but in a league as physical as the SEC, having a third or fourth back who can take meaningful snaps is a necessity, not a luxury.
Final Thoughts
Missouri’s trio of transfer additions may not grab national headlines, but they address real, immediate needs. Lanier shores up a thin wide receiver corps.
Sorensen adds experience and depth to the offensive line. And Fonoti helps stabilize a running back room that was dangerously shallow behind its stars.
It’s the kind of quiet, calculated roster building that can make a big difference come fall - especially in a conference where injuries and attrition are part of the weekly grind. Don’t be surprised if one or more of these names ends up playing a bigger role than expected in 2026.