Missouri entered fall camp hoping certain players around the program would take another step forward before the season began. When asked by reporters Saturday which players were expected to make a jump, head coach Eli Drinkwitz mentioned wide receiver Donovan Olugbode , and from the sound of it, he has liked what he has seen from the sophomore receiver.
"Donovan Olugbode is a guy that we expected to make a jump and continues to impress as a receiver who can play every down and add more to his game than just back shoulders," Drinkwitz said.
The Tigers aren't simply looking for more production out of Olugbode. Rather, they want him to continue to develop and become a more complete receiver who can make an impact in multiple ways and stay on the field. The wideout showed flashes of what he can bring to the offense last season, when he tallied 30 receptions for 401 yards and two touchdowns.
The 6-foot-2 wideout knows exactly what that next step and development look like in his game. The sophomore explained what he has been working on and where he has improved throughout this year's fall camp.
"Probably just my 50/50 catching, my run-after-catch ability. Just trying to get more explosive after the catch," Olugbode said.
Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Donovan Olugbode (1) catches a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Becoming a more dangerous receiver with the ball in his hands and improving his yards-after-catch ability will elevate his game. It will also give Missouri another way to utilize Olugbode and keep him on the field rather than focusing primarily on his back-shoulder opportunities.
Now, this doesn't mean disregarding his back-shoulder ability because it is still a weapon Olugbode carries. It is also something that has been on display throughout camp, as he connected with Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons for a touchdown during Missouri's scrimmage.
"Came back next drive, threw a back shoulder to Donovan for a touchdown, which was really good," Drinkwitz said.
Missouri already knows how to utilize a skill that Olugbode carries. Now, it's about taking that next step and developing into a receiver who can bring even more to the offense. This is exactly what we have seen from the sophomore throughout camp, making him a more versatile piece of the Tigers' offense heading into the upcoming season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/missouri as Donovan Olugbode Reveals Area of Growth During Mizzou Fall Camp .
