After a highly successful past two seasons, with two straight ten-win campaigns for the first time since the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Eli Drinkwitz and company had some major holes to fill in the roster following the thrill of a Music City Bowl win against the Iowa Hawkeyes. A bittersweet feeling loomed as fans said goodbye to wide receiver Luther Burden, a player who arguably changed the trajectory of the entire program. Burden’s co-star, Theo Wease, also departed, as the former Oklahoma recruit labeled himself a true son, with incredibly fond memories to look back upon and cherish. The program said goodbye to Brady Cook, the quarterback who had dreamt of being a Tiger since being a little boy and stayed focused, no matter the outside noise. As the celebrations roared, with consistent success being adorned, the feeling of… “Now what” loomed.

Missouri knew it had to replace the most important position on the field, but how would they do it? Roll with Sam Horn, or look outside of the program, for the next guy? Eli quickly scooped up a hungry kid from Penn State, named Beau Pribula. How would Eli replace the two top receivers leaving? He would get one of the leading receivers in the SEC in Kevin Coleman Jr, a Missouri hopeful years ago. Lastly, how would he replace the departures of Nate Noel and Matrcus Carroll Jr., leaving a gaping hole in the backfield? Drink went and got Ahmad Hardy, who had more yards after contact alone than rushing yards produced by any of the previous Tiger running backs. One thing was certainly clear… it wasn’t a rebuild, it was a reload. According to ON3, the Tigers have the seventh-best transfer portal class in the country, the fourth-best in the SEC. Eli and company hit the portal hard, which is becoming the trend. The college football landscape is changing, and the program is blossoming with it. Whilst the names previously mentioned are the attention grabbers of the class, several key additions could quite simply fly under the radar. Let’s take the opportunity to look at three transfer portal newcomers that could make an impact for the 2025 season.

1. Josiah Trotter, LB, West Virginia

Josiah Trotter looks to continue a long lineage of successful Mizzou linebackers, coming off of a very impressive redshirt freshman season as a West Virginia Mountaineer. Trotter missed the ‘23 campaign after a knee injury, but came back with a vengeance. Last season, Trotter accumulated 92 total tackles, along with four tackles for loss, and even an interception. Overall, a very impressive first season in a power conference. Trotter was granted a 2024 freshman All-American selection by the American Football Writers Association of America, further showing the potential he holds. The intriguing newcomer boasts a solid frame, standing at 6’2, roughly 240 pounds, and should be a solid starting linebacker for the Tigers. He will likely start alongside Tristan Newson, who has also been more than solid at the position. Trotter can often be overlooked due to acquisitions like former five-star and Georgia product Damon Wilson II, but Trotter has worlds of potential and is on the verge of a solid career as a Tiger.

1. Stephen Hall, CB, Washington State

Stephen Hall comes in with his last year of eligibility and is looking to finish his college career on a winning note. Hall started his college career at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played for three seasons. Hall made his mark and earned his stripes in the JUCO ranks, giving him the path to playing at Washington State for two seasons. In the ‘24 season, Hall had his best collegiate season by far, making 50 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 pass break-ups, and one interception. Hall was named a captain for the Cougars, showing his leadership capabilities. Hall’s acquisition comes at a great time, as one of the frequently asked about areas on the team is the cornerback room. Toriano Pride will undoubtedly be the #1, but after that, Hall could see himself at the #2, bolstering the cornerback room and adding a proven veteran to cover elite SEC receivers. 

1. Xavier Lloyd, WR, Illinois State

While the previous players mentioned may not be bold picks, I wanted to offer something bold in this piece. Lloyd spent three years at Kansas State, where he struggled to see the field and find consistency. Lloyd decided to transfer to Illinois State to prove that he could compete. Thankfully for him, he did just that. Lloyd hauled in 66 receptions for 912 yards, along with six touchdowns. The performance put many schools on notice, and Lloyd quickly became one of the most sought-after receivers early in the transfer portal cycle. Oklahoma, Louisville, and Missouri were the three schools in the fight, and Eli Drinkwitz won the battle, attaining a solid depth piece for a young receiver room. Lloyd will bring experience to a room that could certainly use it. While he may not have another 900-yard season, I would expect Lloyd to be a deep ball threat and be a solid wide receiver two or three.

At the end of the day, Missouri has an impressive transfer portal class, and there are likely players that I’m unfortunately excluding. Only time will tell how the newcomers affect this team and if Missouri can continue the trend of success.