Mizzou Football Misses Out on Two Highly Touted 2026 Recruits

The Missouri Tigers took a large blow to its 2026 recruiting class as two different defensive prospects chose different schools. Mizzou has struggled to bulk up their 2026 class, as its only secured to defensive recruits so far. 

A priority target for Missouri chose a different hat first, as four-star safety Jayden McGregory has committed to Louisville. This is a significant loss for Mizzou, as they don't have many options to pivot toward.

McGregory is ranked as the No. 400 player in the country, as well as the No. 24 athlete and No. 4 in his home state of Iowa. He's a Des Moines native and competed at Valley High School. 

After taking his official visit to Columbia on June 6, McGregory chose the Cardinals over Missouri and Minnesota. He also briefly considered the Kansas Jayhawks. 

Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches the clock

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Tigers swung and missed a second time Monday as three-star linebacker Braxton Lindsey committed to BYU. Lindsey chose the Cougars over Missouri, Arkansas, Miami and Oklahoma.

He's the No. 508 player in the country and No. 35 at his position. Lindsey is also the seventh-best player in the state of Arkansas and is from Rogers, Arkansas. Missouri made a late push for Lindsey after losing a priority linebacker target late last week in J.J. Bush, who committed to Arkansas.

Missouri's 2026 class has come together a bit, but it seems to lack depth. Outside of three-star cornerback Javonte Smith, the list of names still considering joining Missouri's defense is shrinking fast.