Eli Drinkwitz says Kris Abrams-Draine was 'committed to every SEC school' during recruiting process

Roster retention is a top focus for every college coach in the transfer portal era, including Missouri‘s Eli Drinkwitz. Earlier this offseason he got to first hand what it’s like to have a player weigh their options right in front of him.

Drinkwitz joined On3’s Andy Staples for the first episode of his new podcast at SEC Media Days, where he revealed that veteran defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine was conflicted about his future over the offseason. After a breakout season, he had multiple offers on the table. Ultimately, he decided to come back. Staples asked Drinkwitz whether or not that’s the sign of a good recruit.

The Mizzou headman responded in hilarious fashion.

“It was like, ‘Coach, I’ve got two other SEC schools trying to get me and I have to decide on the NFL, but K.A.D is a great young man,” Drinkwitz said. “I kid him all the time — he was once committed to every SEC school throughout his recruiting process.

“But he played wide receiver for us before transitioning to defense and has had an outstanding career. But the thing about Kris is that he is such a great teammate, such a great competitor. He’s a great father, his son is coming up to be move in with him at the end of the month. I’m very proud of who he’s become and what he’s become. I’m look forward to him having a great year.”

In 2022, Abrams-Draine ranked No. 4 in the defensive back unit with 48 total tackles (36 solo), along with 14 pass breakups. He didn’t haul in any interceptions last season, but did manage to snag three in 2021. That season, his tackles were down and interceptions were up. 2022 was the complete opposite. If the veteran DB can combine the two stats, he can be a dominant secondary defender in the SEC.

Abrams-Draine’s physical and aggressive nature allowed him to finish second in the SEC behind only Alabama‘s Kool-Aid McKinstry in terms of his 14 passes broken up. More ball production in 2023 would surely be welcomed, but Abrams-Draine being a stout, competitive defender on the outside will be enough to hold up his end of the bargain for Missouri.

With that success comes expectation, so it’s no surprise that longtime college football analyst Phil Steele slotted Abrams-Draine (and McKinstry) as a First-Team All-SEC talent. Abrams-Draine will have a perfect opportunity to prove his preseason expectations right and get his season off to a hot start when the Tigers kick their 2023 season off on Aug. 31 against South Dakota.