5-star WR Ryan Wingo visits Missouri for LSU showdown

It’s a major weekend in Columbia as Eli Drinkwitz and Missouri look to remain undefeated as they take on LSU on Saturday afternoon at Faurot Field.

Multiple elite prospects are in attendance, including perhaps the Tigers’ highest-priority target left in the 2024 cycle, Saint Louis University five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo. The 6-foot-1.5, 210-pounder is back for the second time since his official visit in June.

Wingo is the No. 24 overall prospect and No. 7 WR in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player in Missouri, behind only Lee’s Summit North Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Williams Nwaneri — Mizzou’s top commit, who is also in Columbia this weekend.

“Any time Eli Drinkwitz can keep Ryan Wingo at home, that is a win. He hopes to do that on Signing Day, but there is still a long way to go,” On3’s Chad Simmons wrote earlier this week.

It appears to be a Mizzou-Texas battle for the Show-Me State product. The Longhorns currently have the edge for the wideout, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), but a big win on Saturday and another positive impression could go a long way for Missouri.

“Missouri is my home-state school and it is close to home. I know a lot of people up there and their pitch to me is to stay home. It is close to St. Louis and the main message from the players and the coaches is to stay home and represent your city,” Wingo said.

Wingo has said that he’s eyeing a decision in December around the early signing period, but anything can happen down the final stretch this cycle. Drinkwitz is leading the charge to try and bring another five-star prospect to Columbia next season.

“He is one of the head coaches that I talk to the most and have a great relationship with. It is very casual with Coach Drink,” Wingo said. “Being comfortable with the coaches and the players are something super-important to me and he is one of the coaches I am comfortable with. With Missouri, it is that comfortable feeling because of who all I know there. From the coaches to Luther Burden to Marvin Burks, Jr. to others, that is something that stands out about Missouri.”

Mizzou’s recruiting class currently features 15 commits, highlighted by Nwaneri, the No. 2 overall prospect in the cycle. The class ranks No. 34 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Ryan Wingo Scouting Summary

“An electric playmaker who picks up yards in a hurry. Ran a 10.64 100m, 21.46 200m and a 50.72 400m in 2022. The ability to defeat the angle with the ball in his hands is among the best in the 2024 cycle early on. Can take the top off of defenses with ease but is not just a straight line player. His ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces and finish runs is rare for someone with his long speed. Has a chance to be an impact player at the next level. Older brother is former Arkansas running back Ronnie Wingo.”

Wingo has an On3 NIL Valuation of $226K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.