Columbia. Mo. ? National signing day was a bit of an anti-climax for Missouri recruiting director Dave Yost, who had lost his voice shouting encouragement during early-morning workouts with the six new players already on campus.
The Tigers’ 27-player class announced Wednesday included two freshmen who secured their diplomas early, in time to enroll for the second semester. Linebackers Michael Keck of Harrisonville, ranked the No. 1 prospect in the state according to two scouting services, and Luke Lambert of Brookfield, joined four junior college transfers getting a head start on spring practice.
They’re the first freshmen to enroll early at Missouri.
“We’ve had some guys talk about it before,” Yost said. “This year, Michael Keck said he was going to do it and we said that was fine. Then Luke said he wanted to do it, too.
“By the time we get to spring ball they’ll be veterans.”
Enrolling early is common for junior college transfers. Coach Gary Pinkel said it’s becoming a trend for high school students, too.
“We’re seeing it more and more,” Pinkel said. “I think if a player really wants to do it and it’s in his heart to do it, it’s great. We like it as coaches.”
Those two are joining four junior college transfers for informal 6 a.m. twice-weekly workouts for the next five weeks, along with weight-lifting sessions. The Juco transfers are defensive linemen Jaysen Corbett of Galt, Calif., and Andy Maples of Lester, Ala., defensive back Justin Garrett of Baton Rouge, La., and wide receiver/defensive back Tremane Vaughns of Patterson, La.
Pinkel, who’ll be entering his seventh season at Missouri, said this is his largest early enrollment class.
“They’re good kids,” he said. “When you can drop those kids on your depth chart in January, that gives them a chance to get really involved.
“It really puts them in position to have an opportunity.”
Keck was judged the top prospect in the state by both Rivals.com and Super Prep, and leads a class that was highly decorated whether or not they make it at the next level. Missouri views such scouting services mainly as entertainment for diehard fans, although many players seem acutely aware of where they rank.
J.T. Beasley of Dyersburg, Tenn., was ranked the No. 16 center in the nation by Rivals. Carl Gettis of O’Fallon, Mo., was ranked the No. 45 running back prospect in the nation and Dominique Hamilton the No. 29 defensive tackle prospect – both by Rivals.
“The kids really pay attention to it, they’ll say ‘They’ve only got me as a 3-star, coach. What’s up with that?”‘ Yost said. “Chase Daniel knew exactly where he was and who was ahead of him.”
Daniel has the goods to go with his EA Sports national high school player of the year award in 2004, seizing the Missouri quarterback job last year as a redshirt sophomore. But so did Danario Alexander, who got a chance to play as a true freshman due to injuries last year and caught a long touchdown pass in the Sun Bowl.
“Danario was a 2-star guy and he played as a freshman and there’s a bunch of 4-star receivers who didn’t play because they weren’t ready,” Yost said. “You never know how fast a guy’s going to come on and what he can do.”
Missouri has its own numbers to sell. Recruiters can point to three bowl trips in four years, along with goody bags players receive from organizing committees. When 42 junior prospects were in town a week ago, the tour highlight was the school’s recently completed $16 million renovation and expansion of the athletic training complex.
“It is really second to none,” Pinkel said. “We know people are more important than buildings, but it’ll be fun to get the news out about what’s at Missouri.”
