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Missouri

WATCH: Missouri coaches erupt in celebration after landing On3 No. 1 recruit Williams Nwaneri

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•08/14/23•

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Eli Drinkwitz (Photo courtesy of James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Missouri secured one of its biggest football recruiting wins ever on Monday when Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri chose the Tigers over Georgia, Oklahoma and dozens of other programs.

His commitment marks just the second time since 2015 that the Tigers have landed a five-star commitment, and both have come under head coach Eli Drinkwitz. The first was Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Luther Burden III in 2022.

But even bigger than that, Nwaneri’s pledge is the first time since 2012 the Tigers have landed a recruit ranked No. 1 nationally by any of the four major recruiting services: On3, 247Sports, Rivals or ESPN. Before today, that honor only belonged to Dorial Green-Beckham.

Nwaneri’s commitment is a program-defining moment for the Tigers in many ways, and they celebrated as such when the announcement came down.

Nwaneri is the No. 3 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 however, is slightly higher on him, tabbing Nwaneri is the No. 1 recruit in the class regardless of position.

“For Missouri, it’s a marquee recruiting win. They kept Luther Burden home two cycles ago, and I think landing Nwaneri would be even bigger just given that he plays a premium position and the schools that were really after him,” says Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings. “I think it huge for Eli Drinkwitz, and Nwaneri is a franchise-type defensive line prospect and can really make a big difference at a position where you need guys like that to win in the SEC.”

Nwaneri believes he can achieve everything he wants with Tigers

While some of the other programs and coaches he was considering have a track record developing elite defensive linemen and sending them to the NFL, Nwaneri believes he can do all of that at Missouri.

And he’s comfortable with Drinkwitz’s coaching staff, likes the ability to stay close to home, and the opportunities on and off the field in his home state are significant.

“What made me feel good about Missouri was comfortability, relationships with the coaching staff and the people there,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons. “It has a feeling like somewhere close that I could go and fit in. Staying home is extremely big for me. As a child I watched Missouri, I get to stay home and we can start something new. Having a chance to be that hometown hero and starting a trend at Missouri played into my decision.”