Tigers sign three from the transfer portal

The news over the weekend of Mizzou missing out on their top target for Quarterback in Miller Moss notwithstanding, it was a solid recovery Monday for Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers as they landed three big commitments on the defensive side of the ball.

Following the commitment from Kevin Coleman on Saturday, Mizzou Football announced the signing of Northern Illinois safety transfer Santana Banner. On top of having a terrific name, Banner has two years to play and logged 54 tackles and an interception as a starter for the resurgent Huskies this season. Banner should immediately challenge for a starting spot in a secondary losing Joseph Charleston to graduation at Free Safety.

The commitments didn’t stop there as Nebraska transfer Linebacker Mikai Gbayor was announced by the program as having signed as well. Gbayor signed after deciding between Missouri and Miami, earning a big win for the linebacking room and Defensive Coordinator Corey Batoon. Missouri was in need of linebacking help with Triston Newson, Corey Flagg, and Chuck Hicks all graduating. Those three played roughly 3/4 of the available snaps at LB. Gbayor arrives in Columbia with just one season of eligibility left.

Then to round out the day Missouri announced their third pickup as they signed another linebacker transfer, this time in West Virginia transfer Josiah Trotter. If the name sounds familiar he’s the son of two time All Pro LB Jeremiah Trotter. The younger is a tackling machine, totalling 93 total tackles this season, which would have led the team had he been playing for the Tigers. Trotter arrives having done all those things as a redshirt freshman after missing his true freshman season with a knee injury, leaving him with three years to play.

The three announced signings have shown that Missouri can re-fortify their defense. They willl still be in the market for defensive lineman, as they lose two starters to graduation in Kristian Williams and Johnny Walker.