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Columbia Daily Tribune
The transfer portal is open, and here’s what Missouri football needs
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- The transfer portal is open, and here’s what Missouri football needs
And, we're off.
The college football transfer portal officially opened for entries Friday, Jan. 2. It will remain open for players to put their name into the database until Jan. 16.
As of the opening date, 22 Missouri players had indicated an intention to transfer this offseason , ranging from 2025 starting quarterback Beau Pribula , to oft-used wide receivers Joshua Manning and Marquis Johnson , to eight members of Mizzou 's 2025 freshman class.
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Mizzou, with SEC scholarships increasing to 105 players and 63 scholarship returners and true freshman currently on the roster, technically can add 42 players this offseason. The true number of transfer signings is likely to be closer to 20.
More: Missouri football live transfer portal news. Tracking who joins, leaves
Here's how we see Mizzou's transfer business panning out, with a position-by-position breakdown:
Missouri football will target at least one QB in portal
Missouri is going to seek out at least one transfer quarterback this window, but the question is how accomplished (and expensive) the Tigers want to go.
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An early portal report from 247Sports/CBSSports indicates Kennesaw State transfer QB Amari Odom will visit Missouri on Jan. 7. That would be direct competition for returning freshman Matt Zollers .
But the Tigers could also seek out a player for Zollers to chase. Matt Zenitz at 247Sports indicated Mizzou has shown interest in Florida transfer DJ Lagway , for instance.
There are no shortage of top-tier QBs available, from Nebraska 's Dylan Raiola to TCU's Josh Hoover to Cincinnati 's Brendan Sorsby . They come with a high price tag, though.
Expect Mizzou to add a player with starting potential, and perhaps one more depth piece/emergency option.
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Projected transfer additions:2
Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom tries to avoid a sack by Jax State's Talan Carter during the C-USA Championship at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama December 5, 2025. (Dave Hyatt / Hyatt Media LLC)
Depth needed at running back
Mizzou has one of the best running back tandems in the sport returning with Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts , but the Tigers need depth after all three of their other players at the position have opted to enter the transfer portal.
The only other running back expected on the roster next year is true freshman Maxwell Warner. Mizzou needs some security at the position, so expect a transfer to come in and provide some depth.
Projected transfer additions:1
More: Depth numbers dwindle at RB for Missouri football as backup hits portal
Mizzou needs at least 2 wide receivers
One of the more surprising portal additions was starter Joshua Manning. With Kevin Coleman Jr. out of eligibility and Marquis Johnson also heading to the portal, Mizzou is losing a bulk of its production.
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The Tigers could use a headline addition here. Freshman Donovan Olugbode is a major returning piece, but he needs help. The Tigers should look for a starting slot receiver, a player capable of stretching the field and some depth.
Projected transfer additions:3
Right tackle top priority along offensive line
Missouri will lose two starters, and a lot of depth, from its offensive line this year. Center Connor Tollison and All-American right tackle Keagen Trost will graduate.
Mizzou should have internal options to replace Tollison at center, but right tackle will likely be a high-priority portal need.
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With Cayden Green announcing he is returning, the Tigers do not need to go shopping for a left tackle. That's a big plus.
But, we could see the Tigers targeting a starting right tackle, a starting-caliber guard and a depth piece after five reserve offensive linemen announced they are transferring.
Projected transfer additions:4
No tight ends necessary
Missouri can return all but one player from the 2025 roster at tight end next season. That includes Brett Norfleet , Jordon Harris and Jude James, who took the lion's share of the reps. No tight ends necessary out of the portal.
Projected transfer additions:0
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Defensive end hinges on NFL decision
Zion Young is out of eligibility, and Mizzou is still waiting to hear from Damon Wilson II on whether or not he will declare for the NFL Draft. Whether he stays or goes will change Mizzou's portal strategy.
The Tigers are losing depth in Nate Johnson and Javion Hilson to the portal. Rotation members Langden Kitchen and Darris Smith are eligible to return, and the Tigers have signed top JUCO prospect Demarcus Johnson.
The number here hinges on Wilson's decision. If he comes back, Missouri likely only needs one player.
Projected transfer additions:1
Multiple defensive tackles possible
Mizzou will probably go two-out, two-in at defensive tackle.
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All-SEC defensive tackle Chris McClellan and Sterling Webb are out of eligibility. Mizzou will return Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall, who could very well be starters next season.
But there's a need for numbers here. We could see a transfer with starting potential and another depth player entering the rotation here.
Projected transfer additions:2
Spots open at linebacker
After Josiah Trotter announced he is declaring for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season, linebacker has become a major need for Missouri. Khalil Jacobs and Triston Newson, who with Trotter formed three of the Tigers' four-player rotation at the position, are out of eligibility.
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The Tigers have one of the top young returning linebackers in the SEC in Nicholas Rodriguez , and the likes of Jeremiah Beasley and Dante McClellan have the potential to be starters.
But, Missouri will almost certainly target at least two players here. The Tigers need numbers.
Projected transfer additions:2
More: Star Missouri football linebacker to enter NFL Draft process
Cornerback is Mizzou's top portal priority
Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz talks with an official against the Virginia Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
This is perhaps Missouri's top portal need. Toriano Pride Jr. , Dreyden Norwood and Stephen Hall played more than 90% of the available reps at the position last season. They are all out of eligibility.
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Returners Cam Keys and Nick DeLoach Jr. will compete for starting spots, but Mizzou absolutely has to add at least two players who can come in and instantly play.
Projected transfer additions:3
How will Missouri approach safety?
How Missouri will treat safety is interesting. Marvin Burks Jr. and Santana Banner can return and likely will be starters. There is good and experienced depth with Mose Phillips III and Trajen Greco.
But, it's not immediately obvious who will replace Daylan Carnell in the 'Star' safety role. If Mizzou is going to add a transfer here, that's likely where it would be.
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Projected transfer additions:2
More: How SEC scholarship changes impact Missouri football portal business
Top special teams need is punter
Missouri is sorted at kicker, with Blake Craig expected to return from his ACL tear, and at long-snapper.
But the Tigers need a punter. Conner Weselman is out of eligibility, and the position needs to improve in 2026.
Projected transfer additions:1
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What Missouri football needs from transfer portal for 2026 roster
