Last season was a rough one in the passing department. The offense was predicated upon running the ball every chance it got and when given the chances, it thrived. Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts had terrific seasons and were essentially the entire offense. Unfortunately, teams began to plan accordingly, stacking the box with 7, forcing the Tiger offense to throw the ball.

We saw the offense struggle greatly, versus teams like Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M. The run game was halted due to a one-dimensional offense and due to the limitations at quarterback, Missouri never was able to work out the kinks in the passing game. However, this year offers more hope than last. With Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons being named starter in the spring, familiarity between the wideouts and the QB has grown. Simmons is also quite different from Pribula, being a natural passer, whilst Pribula was more heralded for his running ability. If things go swimmingly, the wideouts could have a significant boost in numbers this year, looking to erase the bad taste from last year’s passing attack.

Let’s break down the receiver room bit by bit. Due to the sheer number of guys, with the receiver room being rotation heavy, we will start with the outside guys, then work our way to the slot.

Outside #1, Donovan Olugbode, So: I’m going to go out on a whim and say that there’s two guys in this receiver room who have separated themselves by even just a thin margin, and Olugbode is one of those guys. Heading into the 2025 campaign, Olugbode was making noise in fall camp, being praised by players and coaches alike. It was only a matter of time that Olugbode would find playing time, it was just a question of what he would do with it.

That question would be answered quickly and in a big way. In the opening game against Central Arkansas, Olugbode would start off well, with 4 receptions for 37 yards. I remember seeing OlugBode move on his routes, as well as after the catch and thinking, “wow, his movement is fluid.” It was clear that despite him only being a true freshman, he would absolutely play a role.

In the next game against Kansas, Olugbode made one of the best catches i’ve ever seen. On the sideline in a fourth down situation, Olugbode flew into the air, snagging the ball with one hand, getting his feet inbounds. A Kansas reporter exclaimed loudly next to me, “Oh my gosh did he catch that?” To the shock of everyone, yes, yes he did. That was the moment that I believe most saw that the kid was just different. Missouri found a potential gem.

Olugbode would be consistent the rest of the year, showing time and time again why Eli and Jacob Peeler gave him praise in the offseason. The numbers weren’t jaw-dropping, but Olugbode was consistent as could be, often turning into the number one option when the Tigers needed a big play. Olugbode led the receiver room in the Auburn game, with 5 receptions for 69 yards. After Pribula went down with an injury, the true freshman duo of Matt Zollers and Olugbode found some steam, as Olugbode had a season high 74 yards on 3 receptions against A&M. Olugbode accounted for roughly 96% of the teams passing yards that day.

Olugbode has a really solid chance at a jump this season, with a quarterback who has the arm strength to elevate the offense.

Caleb Goodie, SR: Goodie is a solid candidate to be the opposite outside receiver of Olugbode. Goodie stands at 6’1 and 180 pounds, solid measurables for a receiver in that position. The Cincinnati transfer has strung together back to back solid seasons, one with Colorado State in 24, and Cincinnati last season. Goodie had 21 receptions for 436 yards in 2024, and improved upon those slightly last year, with 29 receptions for 484 yards.

In some ways, Goodie reminds me of a slightly smaller Emmanuel Hall. Goodie’s calling card is his speed, which he displayed several times last season, including a clutch 82 yard touchdown to win it against Iowa State. Goodie has seen two consistent seasons in a row and I expect much of the same for this upcoming one. Goodie may take a backseat to OlugBode and another receiver that we will later mention, but I still expect Goodie to be a consistent and formidable option.

Naeshaun Montgomery, RS FR: Naeshaun Montgomery played his high school ball at Miami Central, quickly becoming one of the best receivers in that area. Montgomery was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school and would eventually declare his commit to become a Florida Gator.

Montgomery would sit his freshman year and heading into the 2025 season, Montgomery was seen as a high upside guy who could use the season to develop his game and get used to the grind of an SEC schedule. Unfortunately for Montgomery, the chances never developed. Montgomery was featured in the opening game against LIU, where he logged 2 receptions for 19 yards. It took another 3 months for Montgomery to log another stat, getting 1 reception for 7 yards against Ole Miss.

After entering the transfer portal 7 months ago, Montgomery was quick to his decision of becoming a Tiger. Montgomery intrigues me, as he is strill just a redshirt freshman, which gives him plenty of time to develop. The receiver room isn’t exactly loaded, so this gives him the opportunity to rote in every few snaps and get some valuable playing time. I don’t expect a massive season, but I think a 150-300 yard season could do wonders in terms of developing his confidence going forward. He displays the speed of being a deep threat, and he could sneak into the slot role later in the season.

Kenric Lanier ll, RS JR: Lanier is another transfer that the Tigers brought in this offseason and he’s similar to the formerly mentioned Naeshaun Montgomery. Lanier was a 4 star prospect coming out of high school and was the big catch for PJ Fleck and his staff heading into the 2023 season. Lanier would redshirt in his first season, and much like Montgomery, was expected to become a contributor the next. For Lanier however, the expectations were never met. Lanier has 4 receptions over two seasons, for 96 yards. Not much to write home about.

Lanier looks for a fresh start, joining a team whose run game could open up the passing attack. Minnesota’s offense was never inspiring, so the change of scenery could be beneficial for Lanier.

Jabari Brady, FR: Jabari Brady is a freshman, who also heralds from Florida. Brady is a 3-star prospect who featured in the 2025 Navy All-American game. The freshman brings a track background to his game, as he is lightning quick and jumps like he’s on a dang pogo stick. Brady had offers from the likes of Georgia, Ole Miss, North Carolina, and Miami who were seemingly in the lead for his recruitment until Missouri swooped in.

Brady is an intriguing prospect, who could blossom into a top receiver for this team. However, the youngster has a lot to do to get to that point, as he is still very raw. He’s certainly a guy to keep an eye on, as he could see some opportunities early on this season, and potentially blossom in a season or two.

Now, let’s get to the slot options. I’d like to preface that most of these guys could also be played on the outside as well.

Cayden Lee, SR: Cayden Lee was arguably the most highly touted transfer portal accquisition in the offseason. Lee comes from Oxford Mississippi, where he has spent the last 3 seasons as an Ole Miss Rebel.

In Lee’s freshman season at Ole Miss, the freshman would haul in 5 passes for 114 yards, displaying some of the talent that was to be seen in the future. The 2024 season was Lee’s best season statistically, as he broke on to the scene with 57 receptions, for 874 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lee would habve two games over the 100 yard mark, with the most impressive outing in a tight affair in Baton Rouge, with 9 receptions for 132 yards.

In the 2025 season, Lee would have a slight decline, but not a cause for concern at all. Lee would have 44 receptions for 635 yards, along with 3 touchdowns. Lee has been one of the more consistent slot receivers in the conference and he has the ability to occasionally play on the outside as well. Lee’s game is predicated around his ability to create separation ion his routes and what he can do after snagging the ball. Olugbode and Lee will be a nice one-two punch and I think that having Lee on the roster will be crucial for Austin Simmons to grow in comfort as the season rolls on.

I think that Lee could easily lead the team in receptions this year, given the chemistry that him and Simmons already have. I expect anywhere from 500-850 yards this season. I’d like to go higher, but this Mizzou offense will likely be very run dominant, especially if Ahmad Hardy gets back to 100% percent.

Shaun Terry, RS FR: Shaun Terry is a guy that Eli Drinkwitz had plenty of praise for in spring ball, saying that he had a terrific offseason. Terry only played 18 snaps last season, but that was partly due to a knee injury suffered last spring that would linger throughout the rest of the year.

Terry has his work cut out for him, having to play his way onto the field, especially behind a proven guy like Cayden Lee. However, Terry has the skillset of a potentially great slot receiver and he got the added benefit of learning from a guy like Kevin Coleman Jr last season.

Terry could also work his way onto the field as a returner, as he is in the running for the punt returner role.

DaMarion Fowlkes, SO: DaMarion Fowlkes is in a similar boat to Shaun Terry but displays some differences. Fowlkes was unable to log any receptions last season, and his lone playing time came as a returner, where he carved out a fair role.

Fowlkes is a guy that we have not seen much out of yet and will have to really take his opportunities well, to see sizeable playing time this season. Just as it is for every receiver however, the opportunities will certainly be there.

That rounds it out for the receiver room. In summary, I think that Olugbode and Lee will spearhead the room, with Caleb Goodie being the third option. Kenric Lanier and Naeshaun Montgomery will have there chances, with Shaun Terry, DaMarion Fowlkes, and Jabari Bready getting the chance to see there way on the field. A talented room, with plenty of opportunity for breakthrough.