Mizzou continues to build for the future on defense, dipping into the transfer portal once again to land an intriguing edge rusher with big upside. CJ May, a former four-star prospect who spent his freshman season at Louisville, is headed to Columbia with four years of eligibility and a whole lot of potential.
Let’s be clear-May hasn’t logged a single college stat yet. He redshirted during his lone year with the Cardinals.
But that doesn’t mean he’s flying under the radar. Coming out of high school, May was a blue-chip recruit with offers from some of the biggest names in college football.
He originally committed to Notre Dame in the 2023 cycle before flipping to Louisville. Now, he’s making his way to Mizzou, looking to turn that recruiting hype into real production in the SEC.
Where CJ May Fits in Mizzou’s Defense
At 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, May fits the mold of what Mizzou likes in its edge defenders-long, athletic, and explosive off the snap. He’s not a finished product yet, but he brings traits you can’t teach.
His first step is quick, and he’s got the kind of bend around the edge that makes offensive tackles uncomfortable in a hurry. Think of him as a pass-rushing specialist in the early going-someone who can pin his ears back on third down and go hunt quarterbacks.
Physically, he’ll need to bulk up to handle the grind of SEC trench play. That’s normal for a young edge rusher.
But the tools are there. The speed, the frame, the natural pass-rush instincts-they all give him a solid foundation to build on.
When Will We See Him on the Field?
That’s the big question. Making the leap from a redshirt season in the ACC to meaningful snaps in the SEC is no small jump.
May will likely begin his time at Mizzou behind some more experienced players, learning the system and getting his body SEC-ready. But don’t rule out the possibility of seeing him in spot duty, especially in obvious passing situations.
If he flashes in practice, the coaching staff won’t hesitate to get him on the field in a situational role.
This isn’t a plug-and-play starter. It’s a developmental piece with a high ceiling. And that’s exactly what makes this move interesting.
What This Move Tells Us About Mizzou’s Strategy
May’s commitment is part of a clear trend in Mizzou’s portal strategy this offseason: bringing in high-upside players with time to grow. The Tigers have seen some talented young defenders leave via the portal over the past year. May is a direct response to that-a blue-chip edge rusher who can help restock the pipeline.
He’s not just a depth piece. He’s a long-term investment.
If May develops the way Mizzou hopes-adds strength, refines his technique, and gets comfortable in the system-he could become a major contributor down the line. And if that happens, this could be one of those under-the-radar portal additions that pays off in a big way two or three years from now.
For now, it’s all about patience and development. But the raw materials are there. And in the SEC, you can never have too many pass rushers.