Ryan Wingo has already carved out a major role in Texas’ offense, giving the Longhorns a big-play threat who can flip a game with one burst of speed. For Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, though, Wingo is also a reminder of a recruiting battle that got away.
Drinkwitz was among the coaches hoping the St. Louis native would stay close to home and suit up for the Tigers. Wingo went another direction and landed at Texas, leaving Missouri with a miss that still seems to linger a bit.
Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, Drinkwitz made it clear he still holds Wingo in high regard.
"He’s a tremendous young man. Always very respectful.
He’s one of those guys I probably won’t get to talk to after the game because they won’t want me to tamper," Drinkwitz said. "He is absolutely one of my favorites and I wish him all the best except for Saturday."
That was Drinkwitz’s way of acknowledging a recruitment Missouri really believed it had a shot to win. Instead, Wingo headed to Austin and quickly justified the hype.
The receiver arrived as a highly touted prospect and has grown into a dependable weapon for Steve Sarkisian’s offense. He can stretch the field, create separation and turn short throws into explosive gains.
His showing against Ole Miss was a perfect example. Wingo finished with seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, including a 50-yard scoring grab. When Texas needed a spark, he was one of the players who could provide it.
That matters even more as Arch Manning continues to develop at quarterback. Wingo gives Manning a target who can win one-on-one matchups, make contested catches and turn a routine completion into something much bigger.
Missouri will have to deal with that on Saturday.
Drinkwitz’s remarks also underline the personal side of recruiting. Coaches spend a lot of time building relationships with prospects, and losing a player they genuinely like can sting in a way that goes beyond the usual disappointment.
Texas has benefited from Wingo’s decision every time he makes a play. Missouri, meanwhile, is left to wonder what might have been.
Drinkwitz still clearly thinks a lot of the player he once hoped would wear black and gold. For one day, though, he’d probably prefer Wingo keep the fireworks for someone else.
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