Eli Drinkwitz downplays Missouri state legislature’s impact on 2024 class

Missouri has assembled a formidable recruiting class in the 2024 cycle so far, with the Tigers’ band of recruits ranking No. 24 nationally. And while many are readily heaping some credit on the state’s highly permissive NIL laws, head coach Eli Drinkwitz didn’t think that played a massive role in assembling this class.

Speaking with On3’s Andy Staples on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Drinkwitz acknowledged that NIL is part of every recruitment nowadays. But even for NIL-forward Missouri — both state and football program — it’s not the only thing.

“Really it wasn’t as big a deal as maybe it could’ve been. But obviously every year is going to be a little bit different on who we’re recruiting and how we’re recruiting,” Drinkwitz said.

Missouri’s group is headlined by the No. 2 overall player in the class, defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, an in-state prospect who is able to benefit from the state law due to his specific situation.

While the benefits of NIL have varied in assembling recruiting classes, Drinkwitz can’t deny it’s a help to be in a place that’s trying to push forward and accept that college — and other — athletes are getting paid.

“But it has been beneficial for us as far as being on the cutting edge of name, image and likeness. And I think that’s something everyone recognizes with the state of Missouri, is that we’re constantly trying to be pro-student-athlete. And be for our student athletes being able to maximize their potential and earnings power,” Drinkwitz said.

Drinkwitz shared a bit on letting out transfers stick with team through the bowl

Through the first couple weeks of the open transfer portal window, Missouri has seen 11 players enter. That all came amid the Tigers’ prep for the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, which is why Drinkwitz is still letting those players practice with the team and play in the game as they look to move on.

The reason Drinkwitz is providing those players the opportunity to stay through the bowl game is simple. He wants them to have the chance to play in a New Year’s Six bowl even if they won’t be with the program afterward.

It’s also meant to take some of the burden off the decision if those players still want to participate while preparing to transfer.

“Our brotherhood was really strong this year, and it takes every single person,” Drinkwitz said. “We have ‘just us’ mentality to achieve what we achieved this year. Getting an opportunity to go the Cotton Bowl is a once in a lifetime experience for these players, and I sure didn’t want them to have to decide between, ‘I really feel like I need to get in the portal to explore all my options,’ or have a once in a lifetime experience.

“So I just want to take the stress off of them and say, ‘Hey, I understand there’s gonna be guys that want to go get more playing time or this, that or the other, and you’re still a valuable member of our brotherhood.’”