By: A Real One Who’s Seen the Grind
Let’s cut the fluff!!!
You think you’ve got what it takes to play under the lights at Faurot Field?
You think you’re built for the roars, the SEC Saturdays, the sleepless nights, and the soul-snatching workouts that define Missouri Tigers football?
Good. That’s step one.
BUT HERE IS THE BRUTAL TRUTH:
Thinking you’re ready for Mizzou is a world apart from being ready for Mizzou. The black and gold aren’t just colors—they’re a blood oath. And before you even dream of stepping onto that sacred turf, you better understand what it truly takes to earn a scholarship from one of the grittiest, most slept-on, and now surging programs in the SEC.
If you’re serious—really serious—about becoming a Tiger, buckle up. This isn’t your average recruiting pep talk. This is the real blueprint. And we’re not sugarcoating a single line of it.
THE MYTH OF “GETTING NOTICED”: Let’s kill the fantasy now.
No, a coach isn’t going to randomly “discover” your Hudl highlights one night while sipping black coffee in an office.
No, being all-district in your small-town league doesn’t automatically launch you to Columbia.
And no, just tagging Mizzou Football in your Instagram stories isn’t recruitment. It’s noise.
Coaches aren’t browsing social media like teenage fans. They’re grinding film, watching full games, analyzing footwork, decision-making, and motor. You might have raw stats—but if your attitude’s trash, your fundamentals are loose, or your hustle fades mid-3rd quarter… you’re not getting a call. “Recruiting is brutal. It’s intentional. And it’s earned”.
THE UNWRITTEN TRUTH ABOUT SEC RECRUITING
Missouri isn’t chasing hype. Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff are hunting dogs.
Guys who want it more. Guys who are battle-tested in the fourth quarter. Guys who love the process, not just the spotlight.
Want to know what they ask at visits? They don’t just ask about your 40 time—they call your cafeteria lady. Your math teacher. Your defensive line coach from freshman year.
WHY?
Because talent without character is a cancer. And this staff’s trying to build a legacy, not a one-year wonder.
If you’re not living it on and off the field—respectful in the classroom, humble in the weight room, accountable in the locker room—you’re not touching a Tigers jersey.
WHERE RECRUITING REALLY STARTS
Forget stars! Forget rankings! Your real recruitment starts with effort and exposure.
Freshman year: You better be lifting, learning, and asking. Film every rep. Correct your footwork. Watch your own tape like your scholarship depends on it—because it does.
Sophomore year: Hit camps. Mizzou’s own Elite Camp is a must. It’s not about dominating the guy in front of you—it’s about showing grit, coachability, and IQ. You should be asking questions between reps, staying late to stretch, and helping clean up cones.
Junior year: Contact begins. Be prepared. You should already have a clean highlight reel, academic transcripts, and a reference sheet from your coaches. Show growth—physically and mentally. If your junior film doesn’t pop, your senior year becomes an uphill battle.
Senior year: It’s business. You’re either polishing your commitment, or fighting for late offers. No ego. Just execution.
MIZZOU IS DIFFERENT—AND THAT’S WHY IT’S ELITE
This isn’t Alabama. And it’s not Georgia.
Missouri doesn’t throw 6-figure NIL deals at you before you’ve played a snap. They don’t need to. What they do offer? Opportunity. Real development. And a chance to turn heads on the biggest stage in college football. Just ask Luther Burden III.
The East St. Louis phenom was the #1 wideout in the country. He could’ve gone anywhere. But he chose Mizzou—and now he’s a walking highlight reel, hometown hero, and one of the most dangerous weapons in the SEC.
That’s what Missouri builds: dogs with discipline. Hometown kings who stay home and build empires.
You wanna join them? Then you better move like them.
ABSOLUTELY! — here is an extensive, intentional, and no-hype guide to how to actually get recruited by Missouri Tigers Football, based on real-world practices, Coach Eli Drinkwitz’s approach, and what Missouri’s staff looks for in a true SEC-caliber athlete.
HOW TO ACTUALLY GET RECRUITED BY MISSOURI TIGERS FOOTBALL: THE DEEP-DIVE, NO-NONSENSE BLUEPRINT
1. Know What Mizzou Looks for in Recruits
Before you worry about emails or highlight tapes, you need to understand what Missouri values — and it’s not just raw talent.
What the Tigers Want:
Football IQ – Decision-making, reading plays, situational awareness.
Coachability – How well you take instruction and adjust.
Character – Work ethic, discipline, and how you handle pressure.
Toughness – Physical and mental. Can you play SEC ball and not break?
Versatility – Especially if you’re a 3-star kid, Mizzou loves position-flex guys.
Upside – What kind of athlete will you become after a year or two in a college weight room?
QUOTE FROM ELI DRINKWITZ:
“We want young men who don’t flinch. Whether it’s 3rd-and-12 or a tough life situation, they fight. That’s what a Tiger is.”
2. Start Building a Profile by Sophomore Year (9th Grade If You’re Serious)
Most SEC programs begin watching recruits as early as freshman year. If you’re in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, or even Texas, you’re in Mizzou’s geographic zone.
What you must do:
Play varsity early if possible:
Compete at the highest level available to you. SEC coaches don’t scout JV.
Build a strong HUDL profile:
Include 30–45 standout plays.
Open with 2–3 explosive plays (impact tackles, deep catches, strip-sacks, etc).
Include your position, height, weight, class, school, GPA, and contact info.
Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA
Mizzou and the NCAA require core course eligibility. But coaches want guys who won’t be ineligible after midterms.
3. MAKE STRATEGIC CONTACT WITH THE MISSOURI STAFF
Never blindly send DMs. Be respectful, professional, and specific.
Who to contact:
Position Coach– (Example: If you’re a QB, find Mizzou’s QB coach on Twitter or team site).
Area Recruiter – Mizzou assigns coaches to different states and regions.
Director of Recruiting Operations – They help manage visits and incoming film.
WHAT TO SAY:
> Coach [Last Name],
My name is [Full Name], Class of [Year], I’m a [Height/Weight] [Position] from [School, State].
My HUDL film is here: [link]
I’ve included my GPA and test scores below. I’d love any feedback or camp opportunities.
Thanks for your time, and I hope to connect.
– [Your Name]
[Your Coach’s Contact Info]
DO NOT just say: “Yo coach check my tape.”
DO NOT send emails with no film or academic info.
4. ATTEND MISSOURI’S CAMPS AND INVITE-ONLY EVENTS
THIS IS CRITICAL–Mizzou staff evaluates you face-to-face at their camps. You’re not getting offered unless someone’s seen you in-person.
Mizzou Camps to Attend:
Missouri Football Elite Camp (Usually in June)
Compete with top athletes across the Midwest. This is where most in-state and regional offers begin.
Junior Day (Spring event by invite)
You’ll tour campus, meet staff, and see if they’re serious about you. If you get invited to this, you’re on their radar.
WHAT THEY LOOK FOR AT CAMPS:
How you move (hips, feet, quickness).
How you compete (effort, energy, body language).
How you respond to instruction (do you implement feedback after a rep?).
Speed. Period.
Even if you’re raw, if you’re explosive, coaches will take note.
Tip: Arrive early. Shake hands with coaches. Make eye contact. Stay until the end. These little things matter.
5. BE REAL WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COACH
Missouri football staff almost always contacts your head coach before you get serious interest. If your coach doesn’t vouch for you, they move on.
Make sure your coach knows:
You’re working to be recruited by Mizzou.
You have strong academics.
You want him to be honest when talking to colleges.
Ask your coach:
> “Coach, what can I improve to be SEC-ready?”
“Would you be confident telling Mizzou I’m a D1-caliber guy?”
If the answer is “not yet,” that’s not rejection—that’s redirection. Use it.
6. DOMINATE YOUR REGION
Missouri doesn’t chase hype unless the player proves it.
If you’re in a small town, or under the radar—be the best in your district.
Win every 1-on-1 matchup.
Get All-Conference, All-State, All-District awards.
Make your name ring out from Springfield to St. Louis.
Once you dominate locally, your name will naturally show up on recruiting boards.
7. BE AN ASSET OFF THE FIELD
The Tigers don’t recruit “problems.” If your social media is wild, if you skip class, or disrespect coaches—it gets reported.
DRINKWITZ has been quoted saying:
“We build a brotherhood… No ego. No selfishness. If you’re not a man of your word, you don’t belong here.”
WHAT TO DO:
Keep social media clean. No complaints, fights, or trash talk.
Post training, weightroom work, school success, and film links.
Avoid online drama. SEC coaches notice everything.
8. FOLLOW UP CONSISTENTLY AND RESPECTFULLY.
Once you’ve sent your film, follow up every 4–6 weeks with updates:
New 40-yard dash time.
New highlights from recent games.
Camp performances or awards.
GPA or ACT/SAT improvement.
Don’t spam. Don’t beg. Just prove you’re progressing.
9. ACCEPT THE PROCESS AND COMPETE LIKE YOU’RE ALREADY AT MIZZOU
The hard truth? You may be competing with 4-star guys from IMG, Texas, Georgia, and Florida. But Missouri LOVES developmental players who buy into the system.
If you commit to the process:
Train like a Tiger.
Study like a D1 student.
Compete like a leader.
…you can earn that offer.
Remember:
You don’t need to be ranked to get recruited.
⚫ You don’t need to play for a powerhouse school.
You don’t need a huge following.
⚫ You just need to DOMINATE where you are.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE: LUTHER BURDEN III
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WR from East St. Louis. Could’ve gone anywhere, however, he stayed home! Trusted Mizzou’s development and became one of the most electrifying players in the nation.
Now projected to go Day 1 in the NFL Draft,.
He didn’t choose a program. He chose a platform to lead.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Getting recruited by Missouri isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being prepared, humble, and relentless.
If you want to wear the Black and Gold, it’s not about asking if you’ll get recruited. It’s about asking: “How can I make it impossible for them to ignore me?”
THE HEARTBEAT OF MIZZOU FOOTBALL
You’re not just joining a program—you’re joining a movement.
Missouri is on the rise. The culture’s shifting. Recruits from coast to coast are starting to feel what’s building in Columbia. The fans are getting louder. The uniforms are cleaner. The wins are stacking.
But you don’t just waltz in because you want to be a part of it.You earn it!
And here’s the raw truth: Most won’t!
Most will fold at the first setback. Most will complain when they’re not offered. Most will blame politics or favoritism or bad luck.
But a few—the ones who truly want it—will keep pushing. Keep training. Keep perfecting the little things. And one day, they’ll open their inbox and see that golden message:
> “Missouri is offering you a scholarship.”
It’s more than just words. It’s validation. It’s legacy. It’s the first brick in your story.
FINAL WORD: YOU CAN GET RECRUITED. BUT NOT BY ACCIDENT.
YOU’RE NOT TOO SMALL. YOU’RE NOT TOO UNDER-THE-RADAR. YOU’RE NOT FROM TOO SMALL A SCHOOL.
But if you’re lazy, entitled, or waiting for someone to hand you your future—you’re already out.
Missouri Football isn’t for the weak. It’s not for the halfway-there guys. It’s for the ones who treat every rep like a tryout. Every weight room session like the NFL Combine. Every film session like the draft is tomorrow.
Want to wear that black and gold? Then prove it. Every single day.
And maybe, just maybe, when your moment comes—you won’t just join the Tigers, you’ll change the game!
Now share this with that teammate who swears they’re D1 but skips leg day.
Because the road to Mizzou isn’t paved with excuses. It’s paved with grit.
#BuiltInBlackAndGold
#ShowMeProof
#MizzouMade
