Show-Me Recruits

Even though this is only a blog, I would like to uphold at least one of the cornerstones of journalism for this particular post: transparency. And before you read any farther, you should know that I am a senior news-editorial major at the University of Missouri. So, would it be fair to say that I am kind of a Mizzou sports fan? Um... yes. And could you assume that I may be just a tad bit biased in my opinions regarding the Tigers? Well... yeah, you could probably say that too. 

OK, now that we have all that out of the way, I want to discuss MU's recent recruiting job in the Kansas City area and in Missouri in general. Let's first start by reviewing last year's offensive unit. Across the stellar offensive line were Tyler Luellen (LT), Ryan Madison (LG), Adam Spieker (C), Kurtis Gregory (RG) and Colin Brown (RT). In that same order, here are those players' hometowns: Bethany, Bethany, Webb City, Blackburn, Braymer. For those who are unfamiliar with the Show Me State, all of these towns are located within its borders.

Now, let's move around the rest of the offensive unit a little.

• Tony Temple, tailback, Kansas City, Mo.
• Tommy Saunders, Z wide receiver, Kearney, Mo.
• Jeremy Maclin, H wide receiver, Kirkwood, Mo.
• William Franklin, X wide receiver, St. Louis Mo.
• Martin Rucker, tight end, St. Joseph, Mo.
• Chase Coffman, tight end, Peculiar, Mo.
  

Obviously, everyone knows where Chase Daniel is from (Southlake Carroll, Tex.), and it's probably safe to say that this was a pretty decent out-of-state pickup for the Mizzou squad, but other than the Heisman finalist quarterback, the entire Tiger offensive attack calls Missouri home.

I just want to commend the Tiger coaching staff and recruiters for this fact. The 12-2 season was one of the best ever for the Missouri program, but what made it even better was that these players were our own. Other than Daniel and possibly Temple, these weren't the recruits you see pulling a mysterious baseball cap out of a bag for the ESPN cameras and declaring the school they will attend on TV for the nation to see. These were local guys, that a hard-working staff targeted, pursued, and persuaded to come to a school that hadn't been overly successful for many, many years.

And it wasn't just the offense that was filled with Missourians. The defense boasted a few of them also.

• Van Alexander, strong-side linebacker, Columbia, Mo.
• Brock Christopher, middle linebacker, Kearney, Mo.
• William Moore, free safety, Hayti, Mo.
• Darnell Terrell, cornerback, St. Louis, Mo.
• Carl Gettis, cornerback, O'Fallon, Mo.

The list of defensive players from Missouri isn't as impressive as that of the offensive side, but there are plenty of studs in this group also. Bottom line: The MU football program IS recruiting MAJOR players in the state AND signing them. Maybe you don't think this is that unusual. Maybe you think it's no big deal if colleges recruit their state effectively. To that, I would simply say: Tyler Hansbrough and Brandon Rush. How much different would MU's basketball program look with these two Missourians. OK, now I'm just angry, and I have strayed from my point.

The MU football squad is building something special, in my opinion. And part of the reason for this is that the program is keeping in-state players in state. Of course my hope is that this continues, and for now it has.

Just look at some of the studs of this year's recruiting class.

• Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Ballwin, Mo. Any list of top recruits for the Tigers has to start with this name. Rivals.com lists him as a five-star recruit. Gabbert orally committed to Nebraska last year, and the rumor is that he was in attendance as a Nebraska recruit when the Cornhuskers were embarrassed by the Tigers on ESPN last season. How does it feel to have the score run up on you Nebraska? Anyway. Look for Gabbert to take some snaps next season for the Tigers.
• Andrew Jones, tight end, Smithville, Mo. Jones is another highly touted tight end for the Tigers. Rivals.com lists him as a four-star recruit. Listen. If he is a tight end, and the Tiger coaching staff says he's good, then I'm good. They haven't missed at the position recently.
• Wes Kemp (WR, St. Louis, Mo.), Aldon Smith (DE, Raytown, Mo.), Drew Temple (RB, Kansas City, Mo.), and Rolandis Woodland (WR, St. Louis, Mo.) are all listed as three-star recruits for the Tigers, according to rivals.com.

The pressure that Mizzou felt last year is miniscule compared to what the team will face in '08. The way it is shaping up, the Tigers are the favorite to take the Big 12 North again this season. And, if that's the case, the team will be doing it with a bunch of good ol' Missouri boys.