Six Mizzou Tigers Headed to NFL Combine, Led by Potential First-Rounder Zion Young
The road to the NFL Draft is officially underway, and Missouri football will be well represented in Indianapolis. Six former Tigers have received invitations to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, giving them the chance to showcase their skills in front of all 32 teams from February 23 to March 3.
The group includes defensive end Zion Young, defensive tackle Chris McClellan, right tackle Keagen Trost, linebacker Josiah Trotter, cornerback Toriano Pride Jr., and wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. Each brings a unique skill set and draft profile, and the combine will be a crucial step in determining just how high they’ll climb on draft boards.
Zion Young: Climbing Toward Day 1
Zion Young may be the headliner of this Mizzou draft class, and for good reason. After a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, his name is heating up in first-round conversations. ESPN’s Field Yates recently projected him to the Chicago Bears at No. 25 overall in his latest mock draft.
If that prediction holds, Young would become Missouri’s third straight first-round pick, following Armand Membou in 2025 and Darius Robinson in 2024. The last time Mizzou pulled off that kind of draft streak? You’d have to go back to the 2009-11 run.
Young’s combination of length, burst, and pass-rush polish has scouts buzzing. He’s got the kind of edge presence that NFL teams covet, and his arrow is pointing straight up heading into Indy.
Josiah Trotter: Productive and Pro-Ready
Josiah Trotter made a big impact in a short time at Mizzou. The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker transferred in from West Virginia and immediately became the heartbeat of the Tigers’ defense, leading the team in tackles and consistently making plays all over the field.
He’s entering the draft as a redshirt sophomore, giving up two years of eligibility, and that decision looks justified based on early evaluations. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Trotter slotted at No. 66 on his top-100 prospects list-right in the mix for a Day 2 selection.
Trotter’s instincts, physicality, and downhill explosiveness make him a fit for modern NFL defenses looking for linebackers who can run and hit.
Chris McClellan: Interior Disruptor
Another Senior Bowl riser, Chris McClellan showed scouts exactly what they wanted to see in Mobile. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle is a space-eater with surprising quickness, and his 2025 season backed it up-six sacks and eight tackles for loss from the interior is no small feat.
Brugler ranks McClellan at No. 95, which would place him in the late third round. He’s the kind of player who could carve out a long NFL career as a rotational disruptor with upside to become more.
Kevin Coleman Jr.: Route Technician on the Rise
Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. used the Senior Bowl to his advantage, flashing crisp route-running and reliable hands throughout the week. He’s currently pegged as the No. 125 overall prospect on the Mock Draft Database consensus board, which would put him in the fourth-round range.
Coleman’s ability to separate and work underneath routes gives him a shot to contribute early at the next level, especially in offenses that value timing and precision.
Keagen Trost: Quietly Dominant in the Trenches
Keagen Trost may not be a household name, but NFL teams are definitely paying attention. The right tackle was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded offensive lineman in the country last season, allowing just seven pressures in over 400 pass-blocking snaps. That’s elite efficiency.
Trost currently sits at No. 215 on the Mock Draft Database board, a sixth-round range, but don’t be surprised if he rises with a strong combine. Mizzou had a tackle drafted last year, and Trost could keep that streak alive.
Toriano Pride Jr.: Sleeper with Upside
Toriano Pride Jr. might be flying under the radar for now, but he has a real opportunity to make noise in Indianapolis. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound corner improved significantly in his senior season and brings solid size and athleticism to the position.
He’s currently ranked No. 447 on the consensus board-a long shot by the numbers-but the combine has a way of shaking things up. A strong showing in drills and interviews could vault Pride into Day 3 consideration.
Notable Omissions and the Road Ahead
While six Tigers received combine invites, a few notable names were left out. Center Connor Tollison and safety Daylan Carnell were among the top omissions, but their draft hopes aren’t dead. Just last year, Marcus Bryant went undrafted after missing the combine and ended up playing in the Super Bowl with the Patriots.
There’s still plenty of time between now and the 2026 NFL Draft, which kicks off April 23 in Green Bay. Players like Tollison, Carnell, and Jalen Catalon will have opportunities at pro days and private workouts to make their case.
And let’s not forget, two of the four Mizzou players who went to last year’s combine-quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr.-ended up as undrafted free agents. The combine is a big step, but it’s not the final one.
Mizzou’s NFL Pipeline Keeps Rolling
From one combine invite in 2023 to six this year, Missouri’s NFL pipeline is trending in the right direction. With a potential first-rounder in Zion Young and several others poised to land on Day 2 or 3, the Tigers are building a reputation for developing pro-ready talent.
What happens in Indy could shape not just the futures of these six players, but also how Mizzou is viewed by scouts and front offices moving forward. The stage is set. Now it’s time to perform.