Recruiting sanctions placed on Missouri back in January that were upheld on Nov. 26 and the firing of fourth-year head coach Barry Odom were always going to be huge speed bumps on the Tigers’ road to securing their 2020 recruiting class.
While many commits stayed loyal to Missouri even after Odom’s dismissal, including Chaminade (Mo.) quarterback Brady Cook and Kirkwood (Mo.) receiver Jay Maclin, a number of others either reopened their recruitment or decommitted outright, including Booker T. Washington (Okla.) receiver JJ Hester — the Tigers’ highest-ranked commit — and Trinity Catholic (Mo.) offensive lineman Jalen St.