The Invasion of Missouri has continued

Using 247, top 10 in state kids that have chosen Mizzou:

2009
1. Sheldon Richardson(CBC-STL)
4. Blaine Dalton(Blue Springs South-KC)
7. TJ Moe(Ft. Zumwalt East-STL)
8. Jack Meiners(Chaminade-STL)
9. Kerwin Stricker(Washington-Just outside STL)

2010
1. Nick Demien(Timberland-Just outside STL)
2. Marcus Lucas(Liberty-Just outside KC)
3. Kony Ealy(New Madrid)
9. EJ Gaines(Fort Osage-Just outside KC)

2011
5. Corbin Berkstresser(Lees Summit-Just outside KC)
9. Wesley Leftwich(Hickiman-COMO)
10. Brandon Hannah(Chaminade-STL)

2012
1. DGB (Hillcrest-Springfield)
4. Evan Boehm (Lees Summit West-KC)
6. Donovan Newsome (Parkway North-STL)
8. Morgan Steward (Staley-KC)
10. Michael Scherer (Country Day-STL)

2013
2. Chase Abbington (Ft. Zumwalt South-STL)
5. Trent Hosick (Staley-KC)
6. Antar Thompson (Maplewood-STL)
7. Eric Beisel (Rockwood Summit-STL)
10. Anthony Sherrils (Hogan Prep-KC)

2014


It seems that in years past, we have been landing roughly 50%. This year is 0%. So what's the difference with this year? Move to the SEC? Losing record? Coaching uncertainty?

As for the HS coaches, the thing I noticed is that Rockhurst hasn't sent a kid to Mizzou over that span. Conversely, they've sent a number to Nebraska. Blue Springs has been about the same expect replace Nebraska with kU. On the other side of the state, schools like CBC and DeSmet are sending them all over the place, not just one particular school. We haven't landed a large percentage of kids from Lees Summit or Lees Summit West(1 from each I believe). So either relationships with the coaches is meaningless (because Boehm obviously loves Mizzou but it's not helping land his players) or there is not a close feeling between the coaches and Mizzou and the kids are going elsewhere.

Yes. Coaching uncertainty is number 1, losing record is number 2.

It's concerning, moreso because Mizzou is the only SEC team that has yet to get a commitment from a single player in the Top 10 in its state per Rivals. Although, its interesting to note that Florida only has 1 commitment from out of the Rivals Top 10 state of Florida prospects right now. Georgia has 2 and thus has doubled up on Florida in that state...but yet meanwhile, Georgia also only has 2 commitments from the Top 10 players in its own state, and is getting clubbed in that regard by Clemson who has got 4 of the top 10 players in Georgia signed already. Vandy for all its recruiting advancements has only got one player from the top ten in Tennessee signed so far.

In terms of our previous 5 years prior to this one, Mizzou's roughly 50% mark of keeping Top 10 players in-state is actually quite solid compared to what percentage other SEC teams get of the top ten in their own state. It's on the high end of in-state success rates actually. On other hand, of course, the talent pools in other SEC states are deeper so that Top Ten in LA, FL, GA will of course have more 4 stars and nationally ranked guys than the MO Top Ten does.

In terms of factors impacting us this year, aside from all the "losing/coaching instability" talk, a couple other things to ponder.

First, could our coaching staff be spread more thinly now trying to recruit not just MO and TX hard, but also hitting FL, GA, TN hard and recruiting nationally more than we ever have before? Yes we still have the same individual coaches assigned to STL and KC and what not, but in terms of overall team effort from our staff, it may be more of a strain. And if Missouri high school coaches and players sense less attention being shown to them by Mizzou then before, then you could see them going all EZE on us more.

Other thing is, we were all frustrated with Yost as an OC, but we still don't know what impact was had by losing him as our recruiting coordinator, which was his title. He was the closer and hardest worker on the DGB recruitment. Little ideas he had like getting DGB's favorite obscure food to have for dinner on his recruiting visit, little things like that that came from Yost may have been things that he helped other coaches with even on recruits he wasn't directly assigned to. We just don't know, but its known that Yost was a well-liked coach on the MO recruiting trails for being personable and friendly and all that. Who has filled that void on our staff now, or perhaps is it a void that hasn't been filled?

quote:

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Mizzou Fan in Da ATX

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Dare I say the 'blog' thing went to your head a little, just a little bit. Just kidding, but not really...

My biggest concern with Yost's departure was recruiting, and I can't help but think that's had a negative impact on our recruiting efforts.

It is more St. Louis than the west side of the state. Boone County has been a four letter word for a lot of high school coaches in STL for over 20 years.

When I was in grade school and high school (75-82) we owned STL and ESTL. Now there was no website or cable tv or any other media device that we have now. The PHL feed Mizzou with players. There no longer is a PHL where football is concerned.

I think the thing that drives me crazy is we have no in state competition like FLA, GA, TX, and IL have to contend with but yet we struggle to close the borders. Great school and great college town and we still have to beg and borrow to get the in state player to stay home.

And then the question comes in - who did we want? Some kids may be highly rated, but not a fit so we didn't pursue them too hard. They have to balance needing to seal the borders with getting players that we want. And the last part is what we don't know. The staff may not be terribly unhappy.

They don't wanna play at MU, frick em

I kind of figured that played a big part in it. It certainly would have felt like I was staying at home and going into college, literally staying at home was the last thing I wanted to do. I was just a bit surprised but completely understand that feeling.