Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith is joined by Sean Williams of PowerMizzou.com, Steve Marik of InsideNebraska.com and Eliot Clough from HawkeyeBeacon.com to tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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1. Missouri is a dark horse SEC contender this season.
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Williams: FACT. Missouri is definitely putting all of its chips on the table this season for a playoff run, but a path to the SEC title is certainly a possibility as well. The schedule is in the Tigers’ favor as their toughest hurdles include road games at Texas A&M and Alabama in October, then they’ll rekindle their old Big 12 rivalry with Oklahoma in November at home. If they can get through those three games with one loss at minimum, then the path to Atlanta in December is certainly a feasible one.
Smith: FICTION. This one is tough. The Tigers have been a great story this offseason and I love what coach Eli Drinkwitz is doing on the recruiting trail. Specifically it’s always important to capitalize on the success the team had on the field last season.
However, I don’t think they are quite there yet to compete for an SEC title this year. Mizzou does have the best receiver in the country with Luther Burden. They aren’t going to sneak up on anyone this year though. Every team will be dialed in to face them. The schedule could be worse even though there are road games at Texas A&M and at Alabama coming. Nine wins would be another good season for Drinkwitz in Columbia. That would not put them in contention to play in Atlanta for the conference championship.
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2. Nebraska hiring Jamar Mozee will have a big impact on the Huskers’ recruiting in Missouri.
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Marik: FACT. Matt Rhule has taken steps to recruit Missouri better with additions like Jaidyn Doss and Keelan Smith. But more was needed. The Jamar Mozee hire is the “more.”
Mozee has spent the past 10 years at Lee’s Summit North High School, the last nine of which have come as head coach of the Broncos. In February, Mozee accepted an analyst role at UCF under head coach Gus Malzahn. Those plans have changed, however, and now Mozee will be a Nebraska coach.
And with the NCAA allowing all assistants to coach on the field in games and practices in 2024 and beyond, Mozee will be a candidate to be one of the 10 off-campus recruiters for the program. With Mozee now on staff, Nebraska could see an uptick in Kansas City recruiting because of his reputation and history in the area.
Smith: FACT. Nebraska coaches since Bo Pelini have talked about wanting to recruit Missouri more but with little success. Frankly the effort hasn’t always been there either. Significant time and resources are going to be needed for Nebraska to break back into a fertile recruiting ground that has slipped away from the program.
Hiring someone like Mozee with instant name recognition and connections within the state will surely help. A lot will be made (rightfully so) about the Huskers’ ability to re-engage with his son who is a four-star receiver committed to Oregon. But the long-term implications here are huge for Matt Rhule and his program if they can get the ball rolling.
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3. Jimmy Sullivan will start to change the way Iowa QB recruits are viewed.
Eliot Clough
Clough: FACT. Jimmy Sullivan is not a statue with a cannon of an arm, and he’s not just a guy who can run around a little bit. Sullivan is dynamic — he’s accurate, he throws a tight ball, he’s mobile, and he’s more-or-less exactly what Tim Lester is looking for at QB in Iowa‘s new offense. The RPO-heavy scheme is tailored toward his strengths, and the potential for success at the next level with Sullivan could lead to more high school quarterbacks giving Iowa a second look in the future.
Smith: FACT. When we currently think about Iowa quarterbacks the phrase “game-manager” comes to mind right away. I’m not necessarily knocking it because the Hawkeyes have won a lot of games playing this way but its never been the offense leading the way. What I find interesting about Sullivan is he’s got a shot to change that perception in Iowa City.
Or at least start the change. While he doesn’t have a cannon, his arm is strong enough to get the job done. After seeing him live, I think his best attribute is throwing the ball on the run. That’ll be helpful knowing he’ll likely have a strong run game behind him. His development under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester will be something to keep an eye on.
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