Ty'Ron Hopper officially announces transfer destination

Former Florida Gators linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper officially announced Thursday night he is transferring to the Missouri Tigers, he announced on Twitter. The plan is for him to arrive on the Tigers’ campus in the coming days, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Let’s work🐯 @MizzouFootball @CoachDjSmith @DeuceSchwartz pic.twitter.com/WDEBQL7tHu

— Tyron hopper (@tyron_hopper) January 27, 2022

The news is huge for the Missouri Tigers’ coaching staff and head coach Eli Drinkwitz. Hopper was rated as the No. 7 linebacker prospect in On3’s 2022 Transfer Portal Rankings.

It turns out the former Florida star wanted to follow his brother, Tyrone Hopper, to the Missouri Tigers. Tyrone Hopper recently transferred to Missouri from North Carolina.

Ty’Ron Hopper just enjoyed a breakout year during the 2021-2022 season, so it’s an unfortunate loss for Billy Napier’s squad. He would have been one of the program’s top returning defenders.

His transfer portal process revealed some flaws in the system. Ty’ron Hopper’s uncle, Tyrone Hopper, revealed his nephew’s name was taken out of the transfer portal without his consent, he announced on Twitter on Jan. 24.

To be clear my nephew @tyron_hopper entered the Transfer Portal on Thursday the right way and it was official and was taken out of the Transfer Portal without his consent and put back in the portal today..@RivalsPortal @mzenitz @InsideTheGators @delatorre

— Tyrone Hopper (@hopo125) January 24, 2022

A former top-100 overall recruit in the 2019 recruiting class, Hopper racked up 65 tackles, ten tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble this year for the Gators.

Prior to the breaking news, it seemed like a toss-up for Missouri and Auburn to land the former four-star prospect. However, it was Eli Drinkwitz’ staff that won out, locking in an almost guaranteed starter for 2022.

As this is the first transfer of his career, Hopper is immediately eligible to play next season. He could potentially play three more seasons for Mizzou after redshirting in 2019 and receiving eligibility relief for the 2020 season.

During the Gators’ final three games of the season, he had 25 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

He was ejected during their bowl game against Central Florida after he pushed a UCF offensive lineman to the ground. His father explained why Hopper pushed him after the game–the player spit in his face.

Coming out of high school, he chose the Gators over South Carolina, Alabama, Cincinnati, Boise State, and others.

A native of Alpharetta, Georgia, he played his high school football for Roswell.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to the story.