Missouri just landed a key piece to its 2026 defense, adding Miami edge rusher Malik Bryant out of the transfer portal. The move fills one of the Tigers’ most pressing needs heading into the new season - a proven presence on the edge after major departures at defensive end.
Bryant, a former four-star recruit from Orlando in the Class of 2023, spent three seasons at Miami. He arrives in Columbia with some experience, a high ceiling, and a clear opportunity to contribute immediately at a position Missouri relies on for consistent pass rush.
His transfer comes just one day after Missouri lost star edge rusher Damon Wilson II to Miami - a tough blow softened by Bryant’s arrival. Bryant becomes the second Miami defensive lineman to head to Mizzou this portal cycle, joining freshman defensive tackle Donta Simpson Jr.
At Miami, Bryant found himself buried behind some serious talent. Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, both projected early-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, were ahead of him on the depth chart last season. That limited his playing time - he saw action in just the first two games of 2025, notching a couple of tackles against Notre Dame and Bethune-Cookman before injuries sidelined him during the Hurricanes’ playoff run, which ended in a national title game loss to Indiana.
Bryant’s most active season came in 2024, when he logged 160 snaps across 12 games. According to Pro Football Focus, he tallied 11 quarterback pressures and a sack that year - solid numbers for a rotational player in a loaded defensive front.
At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Bryant is expected to slot into Missouri’s boundary edge role - a hybrid linebacker/edge position that’s central to the Tigers’ defensive scheme. It’s the same spot where Darris Smith and the now-departed Wilson lined up last season, and it’s where Mizzou typically gets the bulk of its pass-rush production.
And that production needs to be replaced - fast. Missouri is losing both starting defensive ends from 2025.
Wilson’s transfer was one of the offseason’s biggest surprises, while Zion Young is out of eligibility and projected to be a top-100 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Together, Wilson and Young combined for 110 quarterback pressures last season - the most by any defensive end duo in the SEC.
To reload, Missouri has been active in the portal. Along with Bryant and Simpson, the Tigers added Florida State backup Jaden Jones, Louisville freshman CJ May, and Houston reserve Cavan Tuley. They also signed Demarcus Johnson, the top-ranked junior college edge rusher in the country, as part of their 2026 recruiting class.
Still, while the room is deeper, it’s light on proven production at the Power Five level. That’s what makes Bryant’s addition so important - he brings experience, upside, and a skillset that fits what Missouri needs right now.
Looking ahead, the Tigers’ edge rotation is starting to take shape. Smith and Bryant are the likely top two at boundary edge, while Langden Kitchen and Jones appear to be leading the way at field end. Promising freshman Daeden Hopkins is also in the mix.
The transfer portal officially closed for most new entries on January 16, with exceptions for players whose teams made deep postseason runs. But players who entered before the deadline can still commit and sign at any time - which is exactly how Missouri landed Bryant.
With spring ball on the horizon, the Tigers have addressed one of their biggest question marks. Now it’s about turning potential into production - and Bryant will have every chance to do just that in Columbia.