When most fans scan the transfer portal, they’re looking for splashy quarterback moves or game-breaking wideouts. But if you really know college football - if you live for the nuances that decide tight games in November - you perk up when a team lands a top-tier special teams weapon. And that’s exactly what Missouri just did by bringing in Brunno Reus.
Reus isn’t going to dominate headlines this offseason, but don’t let the lack of buzz fool you. This is a high-upside addition that could quietly shift the Tigers’ trajectory in 2026. Let’s break down why.
A Five-Star Leg with Versatility
Reus arrives in Columbia by way of Florida State, where he was originally a rare five-star recruit at both kicker and punter, according to Kohl’s Kicking. That kind of dual-threat special teams profile is as valuable as it is uncommon. And while his time in Tallahassee didn’t fully materialize into a starting role, the talent is there - and Missouri is betting on it.
From the looks of things, the Tigers are eyeing Reus primarily as a punter. His commitment announcement showed him in full punting form, and with veteran kicker Blake Craig expected back for 2026, the punting job is the more immediate need.
Still, don’t sleep on Reus’ kicking chops. If Craig isn’t the same after his injury - and let’s be honest, that’s no guarantee - Reus gives Missouri a legitimate Plan B.
That’s a luxury most programs don’t have.
Spring Battles Ahead
Reus won’t walk into the starting punter role unopposed. Missouri also brought in Mark Shenouda from Tennessee State during the portal window, so the competition will be real this spring and summer.
But Reus is coming in from a Power Four program with a pedigree that suggests he’ll get every chance to win the job. Special teams depth charts can be unpredictable, but Reus has the tools to rise to the top.
Why This Matters for Missouri
Let’s call it what it was - special teams were a liability for Mizzou in 2025. That’s a problem for any team, but it’s especially problematic for a program like Eli Drinkwitz’s, where close games are the norm and margins are razor-thin.
Field position, missed kicks, inconsistent punting - they all add up. And they cost wins.
By bringing in Reus, Missouri is taking a step toward stabilizing one of its most glaring weaknesses. If Craig returns to form and Reus locks down the punting duties, the Tigers could go from shaky to solid in the third phase of the game.
And that’s not just a nice-to-have. That’s the kind of improvement that can swing a season from seven or eight wins to pushing for nine or ten.
It’s not flashy. It won’t trend on social media.
But if you’re paying attention, you know this kind of move matters. Reus isn’t just a footnote in Missouri’s offseason - he might be a difference-maker come fall.