Missouri Football Hauls in 15 Early Enrollees from 2026 Recruiting Class
Missouri football just took a major step toward shaping its future-and it’s arriving early.
On early signing day, the Tigers locked in 19 commitments for their 2026 recruiting class, a group that currently ranks No. 33 nationally and No. 13 in the SEC, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. But the bigger story? Fifteen of those players are set to enroll early and join the program in January, giving them a head start on spring camp and a real shot at contributing in 2025.
We’ve seen this play out before. Just look at this past season-three of the four true freshmen who burned redshirts (quarterback Matt Zollers, wide receiver Donovan Olugbode, and linebacker Dante McClellan) were early enrollees. That early exposure to the system and college-level competition can be a difference-maker.
Here’s a closer look at the 15 early arrivals who’ll be suiting up in Columbia this spring:
Gavin Sidwar, QB
- National Rank: No.
474
- Position Rank: No.
30 (QB)
- Size: 6-3, 190
The Tigers’ quarterback of the future hails from La Salle College in Pennsylvania-keeping with Mizzou’s recent trend of tapping into the Keystone State for signal-callers. Sidwar was the first player to commit in this class, and while he may not be the highest-rated QB in the country, his early commitment and frame make him one to watch as the Tigers build depth behind center.
Johnnie Jones, OT
- National Rank: No.
139
- Position Rank: No.
13 (OT)
- Size: 6-6, 305
Jones headlines the class as Mizzou’s top-rated recruit. The Venice, Florida native was initially committed to UCLA, but after a coaching shakeup, he made the switch to Mizzou in mid-October. With prototypical size and SEC offers to match, he’s a plug-and-play candidate down the line-and a foundational piece for the offensive line room.
Brandon Anderson, IOL
- National Rank: No.
492
- Position Rank: No.
39 (IOL)
- Size: 6-3.5, 326
Anderson brings serious power to the interior. The Kennesaw, Georgia native chose Mizzou over Tennessee and North Carolina, with heavy interest from SEC heavyweights like Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. His size and strength make him a candidate to push for reps sooner rather than later.
Jabari Brady, WR
- National Rank: No.
516
- Position Rank: No.
71 (WR)
- Size: 6-1.5, 205
Brady, out of Pompano Beach, Florida, has been in the fold since June. He’s got the size to play on the outside and the kind of physical profile that could translate well in the SEC. With Mizzou’s wide receiver room in transition, he could carve out a role early.
JJ Bush, LB
- National Rank: No.
374
- Position Rank: No.
25 (LB)
- Size: 6-3, 210
Bush originally committed to Arkansas, but after a coaching change in Fayetteville, Mizzou swooped in and secured his pledge. The Alabama native has the frame and athleticism to develop into a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. With early enrollment, he’ll get a jumpstart on learning the defensive scheme.
Khalief Canty Jr., IOL
- National Rank: No.
718
- Position Rank: No.
59 (IOL)
- Size: 6-5, 305
Canty, from Detroit’s Cass Tech, chose the Tigers over offers from North Carolina and Michigan State. He brings length and a solid base to the interior line-traits that Mizzou will look to develop over time. He’s a solid depth piece with upside.
Braylon Ellison, IOL
- National Rank: No.
768
- Position Rank: No.
63 (IOL)
- Size: 6-4, 285
Ellison comes with a legacy connection-he’s the son of former Mizzou lineman and current staffer Atiyyah Ellison. The Boonville, Missouri native is also the No. 10 in-state recruit. He’s a developmental prospect with bloodlines and familiarity with the program.
Jaxson Gates, CB
- National Rank: No.
398
- Position Rank: No.
34 (CB)
- Size: 6-1, 170
The Tigers flipped Gates from BYU in late October, and it could prove to be a timely move. With Mizzou expected to lose its top three corners after the bowl game, Gates will have a real opportunity to compete for snaps in a suddenly wide-open secondary.
Isaac Jensen, TE
- National Rank: No.
1,124
- Position Rank: No.
69 (TE)
- Size: 6-6, 230
Jensen is the lone tight end in the class, and at 6-6, he brings a big catch radius and red zone potential. The Omaha native took official visits to Texas A&M and Iowa State before settling on Mizzou. He’ll need to bulk up, but the tools are there.
Maxwell Warner, RB
- National Rank: No.
1,308
- Position Rank: No.
85 (RB)
- Size: 5-10, 185
Warner, out of Chicago’s Whitney Young Magnet, is the only running back in the class. He’s a compact, shifty back who could add a change-of-pace element to the Tigers’ ground game. With early enrollment, he’ll get to show what he can do in spring ball.
Tajh Overton, DL
- National Rank: No.
305
- Position Rank: No.
37 (DL)
- Size: 6-3, 275
Overton was previously committed to Oklahoma State before flipping to Mizzou following a coaching change. The Owasso, Oklahoma product has the size to play inside or out on the defensive line. He’ll be one of the more college-ready bodies in this group.
Brody Jones, S
- National Rank: No.
899
- Position Rank: No.
80 (S)
- Size: 6-3, 175
Jones flipped from Cincinnati after visiting Columbia in October. The Fayetteville, Arkansas native has intriguing length at safety and could be a matchup piece in passing situations. He’ll benefit from early reps in the defensive backfield.
Jayden McGregory, S
- National Rank: No.
384
- Position Rank: No.
21 (ATH)
- Size: 6-2, 195
McGregory is listed as an athlete but is expected to play safety at Mizzou. The Des Moines product flipped from Louisville late in the cycle and is the No. 4 player out of Iowa. He’s got a college-ready frame and could push for time on special teams or in sub-packages.
Carter Stewart, S
- National Rank: No.
2,116
- Position Rank: No.
203 (S)
- Size: 6-1, 170
Stewart flipped from Utah in October and comes from Shadow Creek High in Pearland, Texas. He also visited SMU and UNLV. While he may be a longer-term project, early enrollment gives him a chance to get acclimated and compete for a depth role.
Demarcus Johnson, DE (JUCO)
- National Rank: No.
1 (JUCO)
- Position Rank: No.
1 (DL)
- Size: 6-7, 260
This is a big one-literally and figuratively. Johnson is the No. 1 junior college player in the country, and at 6-7, 260, he brings immediate impact potential. The Missouri City, Texas native comes from JUCO powerhouse Hutchinson CC and should be in the mix right away on the edge.
Who’s Arriving in the Summer?
Four signees will wait until June to arrive on campus:
- Ahmod Billins, CB
- Keenan Harris, LB
- Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR
- Brysen Wessell, DL
These players will join the program in time for fall camp, but the early enrollees will have a significant head start.
Bottom Line
This is a class built on upside, versatility, and a whole lot of early momentum. With 15 players set to hit the ground running in January, Mizzou is positioning itself well for the future-and giving its next wave of talent every opportunity to make an impact sooner rather than later.