As the NFL world gears up for Super Bowl Sunday, there's another major event quietly building momentum just around the corner - the NFL Draft. And if you're a Missouri Tigers fan, there's plenty to be excited about.
With the NFL Combine set to run from February 23 to March 2, draft boards are starting to take shape, and Mizzou Football is making some serious noise. According to CBS Sports' Top-150 prospects list, five Tigers are currently projected to be among the best in the 2024 class.
Leading the pack is linebacker Josiah Trotter, who comes in at No. 44 overall. That’s a strong spot for a player whose instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed have been turning heads all season.
But the biggest buzz right now? It’s all about Zion Young.
Young, who was initially slotted near the bottom of that Top-150 list at No. 110, just made a major leap forward with a standout performance at the Senior Bowl. Not only did he show he belonged among the best, he owned the moment - earning Player of the Game honors for the American team.
That kind of performance under the national spotlight tends to shift narratives, and it’s doing just that. ESPN and other major outlets now project Young as a potential first-round pick - a meteoric rise that speaks to both his talent and his timing.
If that projection holds, Mizzou could be looking at something it hasn’t seen in over a decade: three straight years with a first-round NFL Draft pick. That streak would include Darius Robinson in 2024, Armond Membou in 2025 (if projections stay on course), and now Zion Young in 2026.
The last time Missouri pulled off that kind of first-round consistency? From 2009 to 2011.
It’s a testament to the work being done under head coach Eli Drinkwitz. His program is not only developing NFL-ready talent, but producing players who rise when the spotlight is brightest.
And it’s not just Young making waves. Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. also had a strong Senior Bowl week, putting together a string of practices that caught the attention of scouts and evaluators. While he may not have had the same headline moment as Young, Coleman’s steady performance throughout the week helped solidify his draft stock and could position him as a valuable Day 2 or Day 3 selection.
As we inch closer to the Combine and the Draft, Mizzou’s presence in these conversations is no accident. This is a program that’s building something - and the NFL is taking notice.