Recruiting In Missouri Stays Heated Up

<p>It was a big week for big time prospects declaring homes, and for young and rising prospects pulling in initial tenders. The beginning of Spring Evaluation Period is now less than a month away. College programs continue to focus on the Show Me State. Here is this week's notable action on the recruiting trail.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Welcome To The Zou</h2>   <p>The premier college football program in the state continued their big run through March this week, doubling their Class of 2027 commitment tally. A pair of of highly talented in-state prospects declared allegiance on the luckiest day on the calendar - St. Patrick's Day. </p>   <p>Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1590186' first='Chris' last='Harris'] out of Lee's Summit West High School received his offer from Missouri in the middle of November last season. Four months later, and days after what appeared to be a productive spring visit where a Luther Burden player comp was discussed, Harris dropped his pin in Columbia over 13 other Division I options and several from every power conference.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chrisharris_jr/status/2032571776211751158 </div></figure>   <p>Highly sought after tight end prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1130985' first='Jack' last='Brown'] of Howell Central High School attended spring practice in the middle of the week. When he left Columbia, he did so as a Tiger. Brown declared over offers from more than 35 Division I programs and multiple national powers.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JackBrown1795/status/2033953935002660958 </div></figure>   <p>To put a stamp on the work week, Mizzou acquired the commitment of big time STL area punter [player_tooltip player_id='2154524' first='Dane' last='Olmstead'] of Freeburg Community High School (IL). Olmstead received a proper Christmas gift in the form of a Tiger offer in December. Throughout the offseason, Olmstead has been a top performer and rising up the Kohl's charts. Punters are weapons, and a critical take when a big boot capable of flipping the field is right there in the backyard.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DaneOlmstead47/status/2034729598806573555 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Initial Tenders</h2>   <p>Recent featured PRZ Rising Prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2142843' first='Jackson' last='Wooden'], 2027 defensive end from Hallsville High School received his first offer from Army this week, followed up by Missouri Baptist. Tap in for more about Jack Wooden <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/2027-missouri-defensive-line-additions-and-stock-risers/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/2027-missouri-defensive-line-additions-and-stock-risers/">here</a>.</p>   <p>Hazelwood Central High School 2027 safety, [player_tooltip player_id='1160644' first='Julius' last='Reed'], also pulled in his first offer from Army this week. Reed is a two way player that is on rising prospect watch.</p>   <p>2029 Blue Springs High School two-way prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1781045' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] got things moving this week with his first tender from Delaware State. Brown is also a hooper, has great physical traits, and is likely on recruiting boards at both safety and wide receiver as he continues to be evaluated for the next level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JackWooden2027/status/2034290193616826478 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division I Distribution</h2>   <p>Republic High School 2027 safety prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1324009' first='Keiran' last='Govan'] added Northwestern. "KG" has a diverse Division I tally nearing the 20 mark.</p>   <p>SLUH 2028 linebacker prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1598541' first='Anthony' last='Busby'] continued his rise with an offer from Louisville, his first from the Atlantic Coast Conference.</p>   <p>De Smet 2028 tight end prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1294184' first='Ridge' last='Janes'] added UCLA to his extensive collection of 30-plus nationwide options.</p>   <p>Lift For Life Academy 2027 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1131028' first='Eke' last='Henderson'] earned an offer from Eastern Michigan. Already with a handful of offers from other divisions, Eastern represents his first Division I opportunity. Look for more to jump on board.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EkeilanH/status/2032937955493319018 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Missouri Baptism</h2>   <p>NAIA program Missouri Baptist got busy in the Show Me State this week, extending offers to prospects in multiple classes. In addition to Hallsville 2027 DE [player_tooltip player_id='2142843' first='Jackson' last='Wooden'], the Spartans also reached out to Rockwood Summit 2028 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1598497' first='Devin' last='Walker'], Hallsville 2028 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2067366' first='Liam' last='Davis'], Marquette 2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2150182' first='Chace' last='Croghan'], Timberland 2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1556818' first='Caden' last='Ford'], and Hillsboro 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1667946' first='Landon' last='Gonzales'].</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CadenFord_/status/2033240835311997171 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freshman Quarterback Making Moves</h2>   <p>This young multi-sport competitor ran a 12.44 100m in junior high. Already with a pair of Division I offers this month, watch for [player_tooltip player_id='1591172' first='Harlan' last='Futrell'] to continue to grow, develop, and attract eyeballs with his continued performances in the camp and combine settings.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/H3_FutrellJr/status/2033066151165522304 </div></figure>

It was a big week for big time prospects declaring homes, and for young and rising prospects pulling in initial tenders. The beginning of Spring Evaluation Period is now less than a month away. College programs continue to focus on the Show Me State. Here is this week's notable action on the recruiting trail.