Christmas came early this year for coach Barry Odom and the Tigers, who saw a number of recruits sign their letter of intent on the first National Signing Day for the class of 2019.
Before Wednesday, transfer quarterbacks Kelly Bryant (Clemson University) and Shawn Robinson (Texas Christian University) committed and signed to play for the Tigers. Bryant led Clemson to an Atlantic Coast Conference title and a spot in the 2017 College Football Playoff. Robinson, who will not be eligible to play until the 2020 season, had offers from Michigan, Alabama and Oklahoma among others when he was in high school.
In total, 22 players signed on or before the first day of the early signing period, Dec. 19. Although most players had already committed to Missouri, a few other recruits announced their final decision publicly on Wednesday.
Three-star outside linebacker Devin Nicholson signed with the Tigers after decommitting from Eastern Michigan on Nov. 30. He took an official visit to Missouri on Dec. 7.
Later in the afternoon, linebacker Jamie Pettway chose Missouri over Louisville, Georgia Tech and Tennessee. According to 247sports, Pettway is No. 18 for the class of 2019 inside linebackers.
The team also picked up commitments and signings from junior-college defensive tackle Chris Daniels and defensive end Darius Robinson out of Michigan.
Connor Bazelak, Jalani Williams, Jack Buford and Ishmael Burdine headlined the list of players who had already committed but signed their letter of intent on Wednesday.
Williams is one of the state’s top five recruits. The 6-foot-2 safety ranks fourth in the state behind Marcus Washington, Jameson Williams and Isaiah Williams.
Missouri’s 2019 recruiting class ranks No. 33 nationally and No. 13 in the Southeastern Conference. However, that ranking does not factor in the signings of Bryant, Robinson or Jonathan Nance.
_Edited by Emily Leiker | eleiker@themaneater.com_