Missouri’s Cornerback Room Is Getting a Makeover - And the Portal’s the Key
Eli Drinkwitz might’ve tipped his hand a little earlier this month - and if you were paying attention, you caught it.
During his press conference about Missouri’s 2026 high school signing class, the Tigers’ head coach was asked about his team’s approach to the transfer portal. That’s when he let something slip.
“Based off of what we have here, then we have a couple of positions that we've already targeted and said, ‘OK, well, we want to take a couple of corners,’” Drinkwitz said, before quickly correcting himself: “A couple of players.”
Then, with a glance toward the cameras, he jokingly asked for a cut - like a coach trying to edit out a spoiler from his own film.
But the message was clear: Missouri’s going cornerback shopping in the portal this winter. And honestly, it’s not exactly a shocker.
The Situation: Missouri’s Secondary Is About to Look Very Different
Missouri’s cornerback room took a heavy hit at the end of the 2025 regular season. Between graduation and eligibility running out, the Tigers are set to lose the three players who logged the vast majority of snaps at the position: Toriano Pride Jr., Stephen Hall, and Dreyden Norwood.
Those three combined for 1,420 of the 1,538 total cornerback snaps this season - that’s 91% of the production at the position walking out the door after the bowl game.
As of now, none of the remaining corners have announced plans to transfer. But the reality is this: Missouri’s going to need to replenish - and fast.
Who’s Still in the Room?
Let’s break down who’s still around and who’s on the way in.
Returning Players (Eligibility for 2026):
- Nick DeLoach (r-jr.): A part of the rotation in 2024, but saw his playing time drop dramatically this past season - just 34 defensive snaps in four games.
- Cameron Keys (r-so.): A name that kept popping up during the offseason for all the right reasons. Coaches and teammates alike praised his development.
He’s got the inside track among the returners to push for a starting job.
- Shamar McNeil (r-jr.) and Mark Manfred III (r-fr.) round out the returnees, though neither saw significant time in 2025.
Incoming Freshmen (Class of 2026):
- Jaxson Gates (fr.): A four-star prospect and top-200 national recruit.
Gates brings upside and athleticism, but asking a true freshman to lock down SEC receivers from Day 1 is a tall order.
- Ahmod Billins (fr.): A three-star out of Alabama.
Another long-term piece, but not someone you pencil in as a Week 1 starter just yet.
What’s the Plan?
Let’s not overcomplicate this - Missouri needs help, and they need it now.
With the transfer portal officially opening on January 2 and closing on January 16, the Tigers are in a tight window to add reinforcements. And with no spring portal window anymore, all the heavy lifting has to happen before spring ball starts.
Expect Missouri to bring in at least two cornerbacks from the portal. And not just bodies - they need experienced, high-level guys who’ve played meaningful snaps. Ideally, at least one (probably both) of those additions will have starting experience at the Power Five level.
This is a position where reps matter. You can’t fake confidence on an island, and Missouri’s current group is light on in-game experience. That’s why the portal is so crucial here - because whoever comes in needs to be ready to play immediately.
2025 Season Recap: A Quietly Solid Group
The corners may not have grabbed headlines this year, but they quietly put together a respectable campaign.
Sure, there were some early hiccups - a few coverage busts that made things dicey against Kansas and South Carolina. But as the season wore on, the group tightened up. When Missouri faltered, it wasn’t because of the secondary.
Norwood and Pride were the anchors. According to Pro Football Focus, neither allowed a completion rate above 50% when targeted. That’s sticky coverage, plain and simple.
Pride, in particular, stood out. He was a strong tackler in space and came away with two interceptions - including a pick-six against Mississippi State. He’s not a lock to be drafted, but he’s got a shot to land in a camp if he tests well this spring.
Position Grade for 2025: B-
Not elite, but solid. And given the turnover coming, that consistency will be missed.
Looking Ahead: Who Starts in 2026?
Let’s be honest - the starting corners for Missouri in 2026 probably aren’t on the roster yet.
Here’s how the depth chart looks right now:
- Projected Starters: Transfer x2
- Rotation/Depth: Cameron Keys, possibly Nick DeLoach
Keys has the tools to compete for a starting job, and DeLoach could work his way back into the mix. But unless someone takes a massive leap between now and spring camp, Missouri will be leaning heavily on the portal to find its top two corners.
And that’s where things get tricky. The portal is a high-stakes game, especially for premium positions like cornerback. Top-tier talent doesn’t come cheap - whether we’re talking NIL dollars or scholarship flexibility.
Missouri has to hit on its evaluations. There’s not much room for error here. The Tigers are replacing nearly their entire cornerback room, and in the SEC, that’s not something you can afford to get wrong.
Final Thought
Missouri’s offseason at cornerback is going to be one of the most important storylines heading into 2026. The Tigers have a solid foundation elsewhere, but if they can’t lock down the edges, it won’t matter how good the front seven plays.
The clock’s ticking. The portal’s open in a couple of weeks.
And Missouri’s secondary rebuild? It’s officially underway.