In 2008, Missouri did a fine job of reeling in impressive players from close to home.
The Tigers landed prized quarterback,
Blaine Gabbert, who originally committed to Nebraska. His commitment was one of the more high-profile recruits in school history, and he became the cornerstone of a class that also featured
Raytown (Mo.) defensive end
Aldon Smith.
Three years later, both players project to be first round picks in the NFL Draft and will have Missouri football featured prominently throughout the media for the next month.
Tigers fans hope that buzz can help Gary Pinkel can land another class loaded with homegrown stars, as the Missouri area boasts a special group of players in the class of 2012.
Much has been written about Springfield superstar
Dorial Green-Beckham, who the Tigers offered when he was a freshman.
But beyond Green-Beckham, there are several other national recruits that Missouri has within its crosshairs.
The Tigers missed on Rodney Coe
(pictured) in 2011, but hope to land
teammate Vincent Valentine in 2012.
Photo by Scott Kane
Defensive tackle
Vincent Valentine has over a dozen offers and could be the most heavily-recruited player from the St. Louis area, even though he plays across the river at nearby
Edwardsville (Ill.).
Missouri has been recruiting Valentine heavily in recent months, but the 6-foot-4, 315 pounder continues to be courted by other schools, with Penn State the most recent to offer.
Valentine told MaxPreps he has no geographical preference and isn't opposed to leaving the area. He mentioned Ohio State as a school he'd be interested in, but the Buckeyes have yet to offer.
Also from St. Louis is
DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis, Mo.) speedster
Durron Neal.
Neal is a do-it-all athlete dangerous in the slot, in the backfield, and on special teams. He also plays corner back.
The recruiting process has accelerated for Neal in recent weeks.
"It's been crazy, like my coach told me it was going to get," Neal recently told STLToday.com. "I knew after the Alabama offer. He said I better get ready because schools are going to come after me."
As a part of Missouri's fast pace, pass-friendly offense, Neal could potentially thrive as an underneath target.
Evan Boehm, an interior offensive lineman, is another target Missouri has zeroed in on. At 6-4, 295 pounds, Boehm is a physical presence on
Lee's Summit West's (Lee's Summit, Mo.) offensive line and should be one of the state's top recruits.
On the defensive side of the ball,
Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) linebacker
Michael Rose could be another important piece of the Tigers' class.
While Rose appears solidly committed to Nebraska, but expects to visit USC in the coming weeks.
Missouri currently does not appear to be a factor in Rose's recruitment, but with 10 months until National Signing Day, there is plenty of time for that to change.
In the class of 2011, the Tigers signed only three Missouri products. Two of the state's top recruits, running back
Darrian Miller and tight end
Dan Tapko headed out of state to Kansas and Oklahoma respectively.
The Tigers also whiffed on Valentine's teammate
Rodney Coe, who ended up at Iowa.
