Missouri State football lands former North Texas commit, others in recent days

Missouri State football has landed commitments from four high school recruits in recent weeks, including a three-star linebacker who was once committed at the FBS level.

Bears coach Ryan Beard added a pair of players to a growing wide receiver room, a defensive lineman whose recruitment got off to a late start and a linebacker who is finally settling on a home after committing to two different programs.

Offseason recruiting is expected to slow slightly until the spring transfer window for college football opens April 16-25. The Bears are expected to heavily pursue offensive and defensive linemen once open.

Dezmond Barnes, Stanhope Elmore (Alabama)

Barnes committed to the Bears on Monday, giving them a 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive lineman out of high school.

Barnes’ recruitment picked up during his senior year with offers from Appalachian State and Eastern Kentucky. He was offered by the Bears in late October.

He finished his senior year with 56 tackles, with 18 being for a loss and five sacks.

Anthony Bell Jr., Paulding County (Georgia)

Bell is a 6-foot, 160-pound wide receiver who will be a freshman. He caught 26 passes for 747 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.

His other top offers included Cornell, Chattanooga and Western Carolina. The Bears offered him in September. He announced his commitment Sunday.

Haydon Caston, Iowa Colony (Texas)

Caston is a three-star safety who committed to the Bears on Tuesday. He had previously been offered by North Texas, Hawaii, Arkansas State, Dartmouth, Oregon State, Tulsa and UTEP. He originally committed to Hawaii, backed out of his commitment in November, committed to North Texas, then reopen his recruitment again after changes on the coaching staff.

He’s a 6-1, 190-pound outside linebacker-safety hybrid. He received his offer from the Bears on Jan. 11. His senior season saw him make 124 tackles, with 90 being solo. He made 16 tackles for a loss, six sacks and three interceptions.

Amare Whetsel, Monsignor Pace (Miami)

Whetsel is a 6-foot-1 wide receiver from the Miami area. He finished his senior season with 33 receptions, four total tackles and 740 all-purpose yards. He committed to the Bears on Dec. 7, after the December signing period.

Whetsell’s recruitment was limited, making it likely he’ll be a preferred walk-on. His other offers included NAIA Ave Maria and Division II Saint Anselm.

Missouri State football recruiting Class of 2025

• Deuce Bailey, QB, Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Stephen Meitz, OL, Eureka
• Jackson Kohl, TE, Christian Brothers
• Jayden McGee, DE/LB, Cardinal Ritter
• Mitch Weisenborn, OL, Francis Howell (PWO)
• Brycen Dorsey, WR, Christian Brothers (PWO)
• Gionni McBride, DB, North Kansas City
• Joseph Arnold, DB, Blue Valley Northwest (Kansas)
• Navonn Barrett, Lackawanna College, DB
• Darryon Taylor, Mississippi Delta CC, DB
• Ronnel Johnson, Stetson, WR
• Maguire Neal, S, Charlotte
• Drew Viotto, QB, Eastern Michigan
• Edubedike Nnabugwu, OL, Delaware State
• Matthew Greene, OL, UNLV
• Isaiah McMorris, WR, Nebraska
• DJ Wesolak, EDGE, Oregon State
• Brayden Thompson, OL, Kettle Moraine (Wisconsin)
• King Davis, RB, Miami Northwestern (Florida)
• Shomari Lawrence, RB, Florida International
• Dezmond Barnes, DL, Stanhope Elmore (Alabama)
• Anthony Bell Jr., WR, Paulding County (Georgia)
• Hayden Caston, OLB/S, Iowa Colony (Texas)
• Amare Whetsel, WR, Monsignor Pace (Miami)