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Columbia Daily Tribune
Missouri football starting safety to enter transfer portal, per report
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- Missouri football starting safety to enter transfer portal, per report
One of the most surprising transfer portal developments of the offseason for Missouri football landed on opening day.
Starting safety Marvin Burks Jr., who played more than snaps than any other defensive player for the Tigers in the 2025 season, has entered the transfer portal, according to a report Friday from 247Sports' Brian Dohn. The portal officially opened for entries Friday.
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Burks is a St. Louis native and Cardinal Ritter grad. He has been a starter for each of the past two years in Columbia, and he played frequent reps as a true freshman in 2023, too.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound safety recorded 49 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and an interception last season.
There are now 25 players from the 2025 Missouri roster expected to transfer.
Burks is the fifth player who started at least one game last season on that list, which also includes quarterback Beau Pribula , wide receivers Joshua Manning and Marquis Johnson and backup left tackle Jayven Richardson.
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Suddenly, safety has a become a position of need for the Tigers .
Daylan Carnell, who started at the 'Star' hybrid linebacker/safety spot for MU for the past three years, is out of eligibility, as is one-and-done veteran transfer Jalen Catalon .
Reserves in true freshman CJ Bass III out of East St. Louis and senior Caleb Flagg are expected to transfer.
The Tigers are able to return Santana Banner, who has a promising future, as a starter for 2026. Trajen Greco and Mose Phillips III both played significant reps in Mizzou's secondary and can return.
Beyond those three players, there is not a lot of returning experience.
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Mizzou can return 2025 true freshman Jackson Hancock, but the only other scholarship players currently expected to be on next season's roster are a trio of incoming true freshmen: Jayden McGregory, Brody Jones and Carter Stewart.
The entire secondary is a massive area of need for Missouri now. All three of Mizzou's primary corners from 2025 are out of eligibility, too.
More: Missouri football live transfer portal news. Tracking who joins, leaves
More: How SEC scholarship changes impact Missouri football portal business
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 27: Tight end Max Dowling #11 of the Massachusetts Minutemen catches a pass for a touchdown against safety Marvin Burks Jr. #1 of the Missouri Tigers in the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Missouri will likely add at least two corners in the portal, which is open for entries from Jan. 2-16. The Tigers also now need at least two safeties.
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Burks will have one year of eligibility remaining. Missouri flipped the former four-star prospect from Ole Miss shortly before early signing day in December 2022.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football safety Marvin Burks Jr to enter transfer portal
