Major Shakeup in College Football Recruiting: Five-Star Twin Defensive Ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir Flip from Florida State to Missouri Tigers, Snubbing Alabama, Nebraska, and Other Top Programs; Experts Discuss the Impact into the 2027 Season

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star twin defensive ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir have decommitted from Florida State and announced their joint commitment to the University of Missouri. The move not only marks a massive recruiting coup for the Tigers, but it also deals a blow to powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Nebraska, Georgia, and Texas, who were all in hot pursuit of the Desir brothers.

The Twins Who Took Over the Recruiting Trail

Hailing from Plantation, Florida, the Desir twins have been household names in recruiting circles since their sophomore year. Measuring in at 6’5” and 265 pounds apiece, with elite athleticism, uncanny instincts, and a motor that doesn’t quit, the Desir brothers have drawn comparisons to former NFL stars like the Bosa brothers and Jadeveon Clowney. Darryll, the more explosive edge rusher, has a documented 4.52 40-yard dash time, while Mandrell is seen as the more technically polished of the two, frequently dominating at elite camps and showing off an advanced understanding of leverage and hand usage.

Why Missouri?

The commitment to Missouri is as bold as it is unexpected. For decades, Missouri has battled for national relevance, often overshadowed in the SEC by juggernauts like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. But under head coach Eli Drinkwitz and new defensive coordinator Latrell Scott, Missouri has quietly developed a reputation for producing disruptive defensive line play and cultivating a blue-collar, pro-ready mentality.

Sources close to the Desirs indicate that the Tigers’ relentless pursuit, family-first culture, and the promise of early playing time in a revamped 4-2-5 scheme swayed the twins. It also didn’t hurt that Missouri’s recent rise in NIL valuation and its aggressive, media-savvy branding helped boost the Tigers’ visibility to top-tier recruits.

“Coach Drinkwitz didn’t just talk about building a winner—he showed us the blueprint,” Mandrell Desir said during the live commitment announcement. “And we want to be a part of making history.”

The Fallout: FSU Stunned, SEC Shaken

Florida State fans, still riding the high of a playoff-contending 2026 season, were blindsided by the decommitment. The Desirs had long been considered pillars of FSU’s defensive rebuild. Their exit leaves a significant gap in the Seminoles’ recruiting class and has prompted speculation about internal changes within FSU’s defensive staff.

Alabama and Nebraska, both finalists in the recruitment, reportedly made aggressive late pushes. Alabama in particular had been viewed as the frontrunner just weeks ago, with Nick Saban’s successor, Kalen DeBoer, making several visits. Nebraska, under Matt Rhule, also made a compelling pitch, offering immediate stardom and a chance to be the face of the program’s defensive resurgence.

Recruiting Experts Weigh In

“This is the kind of move that can alter the power structure of college football,” said 247Sports national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong. “Missouri just landed two program-changing players at a premium position. They’re going to anchor that defense for three years minimum, and if things fall into place, they could be the core of a legitimate playoff contender.”

Rivals.com director Adam Gorney added, “This isn’t just about talent—it’s about momentum. This kind of flip legitimizes Missouri on the national stage. Now other elite recruits will look and say, ‘If the Desirs are buying in, maybe I should too.’”

What It Means for 2027 and Beyond

The commitment has immediate implications for the 2027 season and beyond. The Desirs are expected to contribute from Day 1, with Mandrell likely starting at strong-side DE and Darryll slotting in as a speed rusher on passing downs. Missouri’s already stout defense just added two game-wreckers who could elevate them from SEC dark horse to legitimate title threat.

Missouri’s 2027 recruiting class now ranks in the top five nationally—unprecedented territory for the program. With a core that includes the Desirs, five-star quarterback Camden Weller, and four-star linebacker Kendrick Miles, Missouri looks poised to challenge the traditional order in the SEC.