Missouri’s rebuild is in full swing, and if there’s one position group getting a clear spotlight this offseason, it’s the wide receivers. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has made it a point to restock the cupboard, and his latest addition out of the transfer portal is former Minnesota wideout Kenric Lanier - the fourth receiver to join the Tigers in this cycle.
Lanier comes to Columbia with two years of eligibility remaining after spending the past two seasons with the Golden Gophers. While his numbers at Minnesota were modest - three catches for 79 yards over eight games this past season - his background tells a deeper story.
A former four-star recruit, Lanier originally committed to Vanderbilt before flipping to Minnesota back in December 2022. Now, he’s looking for a fresh start in the SEC, where opportunity is wide open.
He joins a revamped receiver room that’s seen plenty of turnover in recent months. Missouri has already brought in Naeshaun Montgomery (Florida), Caleb Goodie (Cincinnati), and Horatio Fields (Auburn) from the portal, and they’re also adding incoming freshmen Jabari Brady and Devyon Hill-Lomax to the mix.
That’s six new faces in a room that lost key contributors like **Kevin Coleman Jr. **, Joshua Manning, and Marquis Johnson - all of whom played significant roles in Mizzou’s passing attack last season.
Lanier may not have had a breakout moment yet at the college level, but there’s upside here. His high school tape shows a receiver with strong hands, good body control, and the ability to create yards after the catch.
He was the go-to guy in high school - the type of receiver who made tough catches look routine. That hasn’t quite translated to the college game yet, but sometimes all it takes is the right system, the right coaching, and the right opportunity.
Missouri’s hoping they can be that fit.
**Where does he fit in the offense? ** Think rotational piece with the potential to climb.
Lanier wasn’t a focal point in Minnesota’s offense - and to be fair, he was behind some established talent - but Missouri’s receiver room is wide open. He’s likely to line up on the outside, where his size and catch radius could make him a matchup problem for opposing corners.
Whether he becomes a go-to target or not, his presence gives the Tigers another weapon to work with.
**When will he play? ** Right away.
Missouri doesn’t have the luxury of easing in new receivers this year. With so many departures, reps are up for grabs, and Lanier’s experience - however limited - gives him a leg up.
He may not start immediately, but he’ll see the field. Outside of Donovan Olugbode and possibly Shaun Terry II, Missouri’s receiver rotation is still taking shape, and Lanier figures to be part of that early mix.
**What does it mean for Missouri? ** Simply put: depth.
This isn’t a splashy, headline-grabbing portal move, but it’s a necessary one. The Tigers are rebuilding a position group that was gutted by departures, and while none of the new additions - Lanier included - have clearly emerged as a WR1-type, they’re giving themselves options.
That’s the name of the game in the SEC, where depth isn’t just helpful - it’s essential.
Lanier might not be the final piece, but he’s another step in the right direction for a Missouri team that’s looking to reload and stay competitive in one of college football’s toughest conferences. If he can tap into that high school potential and find his rhythm in this offense, he could be more than just a depth piece - he could be a difference-maker.