The Missouri Tigers football are making waves early in the 2027 recruiting cycle, putting elite defensive edge rushers at the very top of their board. With head coach Eli Drinkwitz leading the charge and new defensive line assistant Levorn “Chop” Harbin on staff, Missouri is sending a clear message to the SEC: the Tigers plan to dominate the trenches for years to come.
Harbin’s arrival has already opened doors nationwide. The former Tennessee Volunteers football assistant brings a deep recruiting network and a knack for connecting with top defensive line prospects. His influence has helped Missouri establish early contact with several nationally ranked edge rushers, giving the Tigers a head start in the highly competitive SEC landscape.
At the center of the plan is four-star in-state edge rusher Prince Goldsby from Blue Springs South. Goldsby, considered Missouri’s crown jewel for 2027, has drawn attention from national powerhouses such as Oregon Ducks football, Miami Hurricanes football, and Penn State Nittany Lions football. Despite the heavy interest, the Tigers have worked tirelessly to maintain a close relationship with the local star, hoping to make him the cornerstone of the class.
Missouri is also setting its sights beyond state lines, targeting top247 edge prospect Mekai Brown from Greenwich, Connecticut. Standing 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Brown is one of the nation’s most coveted defensive ends. He is scheduled to visit Columbia March 17–19, giving the Tigers a critical opportunity to impress him with their facilities, coaching, and vision — all while competing against other SEC and national suitors like Florida Gators football, Texas A&M Aggies football, and Ole Miss Rebels football.
The Tigers’ board is stacked with additional rising defensive stars, including Dallas Pauldo from Tennessee, Antwan Jackson, and Minnesota’s Clarence Johnson Jr. Each prospect has shown strong interest in the program, with visits and offers signaling Missouri’s aggressive approach to landing the nation’s best edge talent. Even as some targets like Frederick Ards prioritize other SEC programs, Missouri continues to press forward, hoping to sway top prospects before final decisions are made.
As spring practices approach, Missouri expects a wave of elite defensive end visits. These trips will not only showcase the program’s development and facilities but also cement Missouri’s growing reputation as a destination for premier defensive line talent. With quarterback Braylen Warren already committed, landing multiple elite edge rushers would complete a powerful class and send a strong warning to the SEC: the Tigers’ defensive edge takeover is just getting started.