As the 2026 NFL Draft buzz starts building across the country, underclassmen from programs coast to coast are beginning to make their intentions known. But in Columbia, Missouri, things are a little quieter - at least for now. No Missouri players have officially declared just yet, and according to head coach Eli Drinkwitz, there’s a reason for the delay: they’re still waiting on crucial feedback from the NFL College Advisory Committee (CAC).
Speaking on Tuesday, Drinkwitz didn’t hide his frustration with the holdup.
“Seventeen days seems like awful for a long time to get that information,” he said. “I don't know what they're waiting on.
To be honest, it's really frustrating, because players have to make decisions. There's a lot of stuff going on in college football, and we need that information back from them.”
Drinkwitz noted that Missouri submitted its list of underclassmen to the CAC the day after their regular season finale against Arkansas. The CAC is tasked with giving eligible underclassmen an evaluation of their draft stock - first round, second round, or third round or later (which is essentially a recommendation to return to school).
Each school can submit up to five names for review. And for players on the fence, this feedback can be a game-changer.
Three Tigers in the Spotlight
While no official declarations have been made, there are three Mizzou players who appear to be weighing their options most seriously.
Damon Wilson II is the headliner. The dynamic edge rusher led the Tigers with nine sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this season.
He was a constant presence in opponents’ backfields, racking up 12 quarterback hurries, two batted passes, an interception, and a fumble recovery. His impact wasn’t just visible on tape - he was among the national leaders in pressure rate, a metric that scouts and analysts love when evaluating edge talent.
Wilson’s draft stock is already climbing. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks him as the second-best edge rusher in the class, and Field Yates has him going late in the first round - No. 28 overall in his latest mock draft. For a player with that kind of buzz, the CAC’s feedback might just confirm what the tape already shows.
Cayden Green, Missouri’s versatile offensive lineman, is another player in the mix. His journey has been anything but typical - he started as a true freshman at Oklahoma, transferred to Missouri, and has since started at both guard and tackle.
This season, he logged 693 snaps in ten games, missing two due to a foot injury. The SEC’s coaches took notice, naming him to the All-SEC First Team.
Most projections have Green slotted somewhere between the 100th and 150th overall pick if he declares, which puts him in that tricky mid-round territory. For linemen, versatility is a big selling point, and Green’s ability to play multiple positions could boost his value in the eyes of NFL teams. Still, the CAC’s evaluation may help him decide whether to make the leap now or come back for another year to raise his stock.
Josiah Trotter, the Tigers’ tackling machine at linebacker, rounds out the trio of draft-eligible underclassmen. After redshirting at West Virginia, Trotter has played two full seasons and made a name for himself in the SEC.
This year, he led Missouri with 84 tackles and ranked second on the team with 13 tackles for loss. He played 517 snaps - third-most among all Tiger defenders - and earned first-team All-SEC honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press.
Trotter won’t suit up for the Gator Bowl due to a minor knee injury that required surgery, but his decision on the draft is still pending. With his production and pedigree, he’s certainly on NFL radars, but like Green, he may be waiting on the CAC’s evaluation to help guide his next step.
Bowl Game Outlook
Despite the looming decisions, Drinkwitz said he expects everyone - including Wilson, Green, and other potential early entrants - to play in the Gator Bowl on December 27th against Virginia.
“I haven't received any indication that there's players who would opt out here, regardless of what their status was with the NFL,” Drinkwitz said. “I think I feel pretty confident that the team we have here today is going to play.”
Of course, things can change quickly. The CAC’s feedback could arrive any day now, and with the deadline to declare for the draft set for January 14th, official announcements from players could follow soon after.
For now, Missouri fans can enjoy the calm before what could be a flurry of decisions. With three high-impact players evaluating their futures, the next few weeks will be pivotal - both for the players and for the Tigers’ outlook heading into 2026.