Missouri continues to bolster its defense through the transfer portal, landing another intriguing piece in former Miami linebacker Bobby Washington Jr. The Tigers officially added Washington on Saturday, bringing in a player with upside, pedigree, and a football family tree that runs deep.
Washington spent the last three seasons at Miami, though he saw limited action on the field. He redshirted in 2023 and primarily contributed on special teams in 2024.
Across nine games over those two seasons, he logged just 37 defensive snaps but still managed to tally seven tackles. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, the potential is there-and Missouri is betting on that ceiling.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, had a strong year, finishing 13-3 and making it all the way to the College Football Playoff national championship game, where they fell to No. 1 Indiana in a tight 27-21 battle. Washington didn’t see the field during that run, but he was part of a program that reached the sport’s biggest stage-experience that can carry weight in a new locker room.
Coming out of high school, Washington was a well-regarded recruit. He initially drew attention as a 3-star linebacker with a long list of offers from major programs, including Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi State. He ultimately chose to stay home and sign with Miami, but now he’s headed to the SEC with a fresh opportunity in Columbia.
This move gives Missouri its 28th transfer addition this month, and Washington becomes the third player to make the jump from Miami. He joins defensive lineman Donta Simpson and EDGE/outside linebacker Malik Bryant as part of a growing pipeline from Coral Gables to CoMo.
Washington brings more than just potential-he brings pedigree. His family has deep football roots.
His brother, Robby, a wide receiver, also signed with Miami in 2023 before transferring to Coastal Carolina. Their father, Bobby Washington Sr., was a Parade All-American and played at Eastern Kentucky, while cousin Derrick Gibson starred at Florida State and was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2001.
With at least two years of eligibility remaining, Washington steps into a Missouri linebacker room that continues to evolve. The Tigers are clearly emphasizing depth and athleticism on defense, and Washington fits that mold. If he can translate his athletic tools and football lineage into production, Missouri may have found a hidden gem in the portal.