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It’s the final straight of the winter portal window.
Missouri football has signed 12 players since the transfer portal opened Dec. 9, filling multiple spots that needed depth on the 2025 roster. Now, the Tigers are turning the final corner and racing toward spring camp.
So far, MU has added Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula, Appalachian State defensive end Nate Johnson, Wake Forest offensive lineman Keagen Trost, Michigan offensive lineman Dominick Guidice, ULM running back Ahmad Hardy, Mississippi State wide receiver Kevin Coleman, Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor, West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter, Virginia Tech safety Mose Phillips III, Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner, Stanford punter Connor Weselman and Northwest Missouri State defensive end Langden Kitchen.
More: How will new quarterback Beau Pribula fit with Missouri football? Behind the QB’s track record
More: Missouri football live transfer portal news: Tracking who joins, leaves Mizzou in portal
But with a look at what that means for next year’s projected depth, MU is likely not quite finished.
The current transfer portal window will close on Saturday. Players who participate in bowl games will be permitted another window from Jan. 1-5, when they will be permitted on-campus visits.
Those already in the portal can commit at any time, but players who wish to participate in spring football will likely commit in early January due to enrollment requirements.
So, what Mizzou lands in the upcoming weeks will be who it brings to spring camp.
Here’s what the Tigers may still be chasing:
Will Missouri football add a cornerback?
Missouri has numbers at cornerback expected to return next season, but those players often were inconsistent. Dreyden Norwood was a consistent starter, but Mizzou alternated Toriano Pride Jr. and Nicholas DeLoach Jr. at the other spot.
MU ideally would bring in a player with instant CB1 potential, but the portal isn’t packed with them. According to 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings, only five of the top 30 cornerbacks remain uncommitted.
At the very least, expect the Tigers to seek a challenger for a starting spot.
Linebacker
Gbayor and Trotter bring Power-conference experience and healthy production, but numbers might tempt the Tigers to seek more linebacker depth.
Three of MU’s core four-player rotation will be out of eligibility, and the fourth — Khalil Jacobs — is returning from a season-ending injury. Missouri might be happy to elevate one of its promising 2024 freshmen into a bigger role, or it might look for somebody who can instantly step in.
The latter seems more likely.
Offensive line
Trost and Guidice add depth, but the Tigers may not be finished recruiting offensive linemen. Both of starting tackles, the starting right guard, backup center and main sixth man are out of eligibility or on the way to the NFL.
That’s a lot to replace, and it’s unlikely that all of the replacements reside in-house.
Mizzou likely will attempt to add a potential starter at tackle.
Kicker
Missouri may opt to stick with just Blake Craig, but considering there is no returning depth and Craig’s sporadic struggles this season, it’s more likely that the Tigers will bring in competition.
Craig was 18-of-27 on field goal attempts. Each 2024 backup is in the transfer portal but remains uncommitted.
Safety
Missouri has been active replacing outgoing starters by bringing in Phillips and Banner, both of whom were top-15 available safeties, according to 247Sports. But, with three key pieces of the rotation on the way out and two backups leaving via the portal, a third addition might add depth.
The Tigers have in-house options in 2024 role player Caleb Flagg and true freshman Trajen Greco. Behind them, however, there isn’t much experience.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football has found its QB, but what do Tigers still need to add?