A Look at Mizzou's In-State Football Recruiting in 2026 - The Extra Point

A peek at what the Tigers could be focusing on for the class of 2026 inside the state of Missouri.

Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz runs out with the team against the Buffalo Bulls prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Watch the video below as Missouri football reporter Michael Stamps breaks down prospects in the state of Missouri that Eli Drinkwitz and his coaching staff are focusing on.

Welcome to Missouri Tigers On SI's "Extra Point," a video series featuring the site's Missouri beat writers. Multiple times a week, the writers provide analysis on a topic concerning the Tigers or the landscape of college sports.

In-state recruiting is allegedly important when it comes to building a roster in college football. Whether it's important or not isn't in question, but there are impactful and talented players in the class of 2026 that the Missouri Tigers seem to be intrigued by.

After missing out on five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, there might have been less hope when it came to locking down Missouri natives. Now, after landing four-star linebacker Keenan Harris, landing in the final list of schools for four-star athlete Jacob Eberhart and securing an official visit with four-star defensive end Ronelle Johnson, that hope may be alive again.

Building a tradition of keeping the local guys close isn't a bad one, but head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers are only going to bring on players if they fit the system and are talented enough. Luckily, the talent pool in the state of Missouri has significantly improved recently. Still, finding the right guys for the system is more important than where they are from.

2026 In-state Missouri targets

• 4-star EDGE Ronelle Johnson
• 4-star ATH Jacob Eberhart
• 3-star TE Kevin Sullivan
• 3-star IOL Bennett Fraser

2027 In-state Missouri targets

• 4-star TE Jack Brown
• 4-star IOL Kyler Kuhn
• 3-star LB Kobe Rhymes
• 3-star LB Marshaun Ivy