Mizzou Football Recruiting Heats Back Up as Dead Period Ends, Plus a Look Around the Tigers’ Programs
The quiet is about to break in Columbia.
With the NCAA’s recruiting dead period officially over, Missouri Football is gearing up for what should be a busy stretch on the trail. After a couple of low-key days, the recruiting buzz is expected to pick back up-because let’s be honest, for fans plugged into the portal and the commitment cycle, even a short lull can feel like an eternity.
Despite the restrictions of the dead period, Mizzou still managed to land four commitments earlier this week. That’s not entirely surprising, considering the Tigers hosted a wave of visitors last weekend. Now, with visits back on the table, the next wave of activity is set to begin.
One name to keep an eye on: CJ May, a former 4-star edge rusher from Alabama who’s currently at Louisville. According to his social media, May is slated to visit Missouri this weekend. While he might not be a headline-grabbing addition, he brings SEC-caliber pedigree and could add valuable depth to a defensive front that’s always looking for rotational strength.
And he’s not alone. More visits are lined up in the coming days, and while not every name will be a splashy get, this is the time when rosters are shaped and depth charts start to take form. Keep tabs on the transfer portal tracker for updates-there are still plenty of names out there, and Missouri is far from finished.
A Hometown Return for Will Kemna
One of the more feel-good recruiting stories this week is the return of Will Kemna to mid-Missouri. The Helias High School product from Eldon, Mo., is coming home after a redshirt year elsewhere, and he’ll have all four years of eligibility remaining.
Kemna was a first-team All-State selection during his prep career and now gets a chance to suit up just miles from where he made a name for himself. His return adds a familiar face to the locker room and brings another layer of local pride to the Tigers’ roster. While he’s still early in his college journey, the foundation is there, and Missouri’s staff clearly sees long-term potential in the big man from the heart of the Show-Me State.
Digging Into the Details: Josh Atkins
Missouri also continues to address the trenches, bringing in Arizona State offensive tackle Josh Atkins. A deeper dive into his game reveals a lineman with size, experience, and room to grow. The Tigers are clearly prioritizing physicality up front, and Atkins fits the mold of a player who can compete for a role early while also developing into a long-term contributor.
Mizzou Wrestling Picks Up a Statement Win
It wasn’t just the football program making noise this week. Mizzou Wrestling picked up a big dual victory over Arizona State, flexing their muscle in a matchup that showcased both depth and dominance. The Tigers continue to build momentum as the season progresses, and performances like this one show why they remain a staple in the national conversation.
Track & Field: Progress Measured in Centimeters
Over in track and field, the Tigers are gearing up for the Show-Me Showdown. Head coach Brett Halter and his staff are keeping the focus on growth-no matter how small.
High jump coach Marcus Harris put it best: “If it’s a centimeter better, it’s better.” Whether it’s on the track or in the field events, the emphasis is on steady improvement, and the Tigers are putting in the work to stack those gains.
Women’s Hoops: Harper’s First SEC Win in Style
Kellie Harper notched her first SEC win as Missouri’s head coach in emphatic fashion, as the Tigers rolled to a 94-69 win over Arkansas. The offense was humming, dropping their highest point total since early November. Missouri shot a scorching 57.1% from the floor and a blistering 68% from deep.
The key? Ball movement.
The Tigers dished out 20 assists and maintained a strong 1.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. Arkansas, by contrast, struggled to find rhythm, finishing with just a 0.4 ratio.
In a conference as unforgiving as the SEC, you have to take advantage of every opportunity-and Missouri did just that.
Men’s Hoops: Mark Mitchell Does It All
Mark Mitchell continues to be a force for Mizzou Men’s Basketball, leading the way in a win over Auburn. He poured in 20 points on 7 made field goals, added 5 assists, a steal, and a block. Sure, the free throw line wasn’t kind to him-he missed eight-but the rest of his performance was a masterclass in versatility and control.
Mitchell’s ability to recognize mismatches and exploit them was on full display. He took 13 shots, drew 14 trips to the line, and created 14 points off assists.
All told, he was directly involved in nearly 40% of Missouri’s offensive output. That’s the kind of impact that doesn’t always show up in headlines but is felt every possession.
As the dead period ends and recruiting ramps up again, Missouri fans have plenty to track-from portal additions to homegrown returns. And with multiple programs making noise across the board, the Tigers are showing that the momentum isn’t just confined to the gridiron. Whether it’s wrestling mats, hardwood courts, or the track, Mizzou is making its presence felt.