Missouri
Rookie watch: These Missouri football freshmen could get playing time in 2024
Who will make the All-SEC Team Offense?
Who will make the All-SEC Team Offense?
In a preseason headlined by veteran experience and seasoned newcomers, some youngsters are making some noise.
Missouri football is fast approaching its 2024 season-opener, which comes Thursday, Aug. 29 against Murray State on Faurot Field in Columbia. Behind the scenes, some true freshmen are drawing the plaudits of their peers and mentors.
“I mean, there’s freshmen in every aspect of the game, offense, defense, special teams,” Missouri tight end Tyler Stephens said Thursday. “And I think that these guys need to understand that they are needed. Like, every single player is needed. Doesn’t matter if you’re a first year, if you’re a fifth year, there’s going to be an opportunity to play.”
Mizzou signed 21 players in its Class of 2024 — a recruiting cycle that brought one five-star prospect, seven four-stars and 13 three-stars to Columbia. The recruiting service 247Sports rated that as the No. 20 signing class in the country.
But, when the Tigers draw back the curtains on the new campaign, how many of those rookies will Missouri fans realistically see in Year 1?
Due to limited portions of practice being made available to reporters, and the periods that are available mostly containing individual and positional drills, it’s an imperfect system to attempt to adjudicate how much playing time each player is likely to earn from practice alone.
So, based on best judgment, positional needs and comments from players and coaches throughout fall camp, here are the Missouri freshmen who look the most likely to burn redshirts in the 2024 season:
More: Projecting Missouri football’s first offensive depth chart of 2024
Has Cameron Keys made case as rotational corner for Missouri football?
When you lose both of your starters at one position in the same NFL Draft, there’s naturally going to be some shake up.
With Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. no longer manning the cornerback spots for Mizzou, true freshman Cameron Keys — a three-star pledge out of Panama City, Florida — seemingly is making a strong case to get some reps early in his Mizzou career.
“Cam Keys has done a nice job. He’s very physical,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said on Aug. 3. … “When we put the pads on, he already knew what it was going to take and the physicality he had to play with.”
The Tigers’ depth appears to have Dreyden Norwood and Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. as the starters. Experienced backup Marcus Clarke likely will retain his role as a rotation piece and redshirt freshman Nicholas DeLoach has been seen working with the Tigers’ first-team unit in camp.
Keys, who is listed at 6 foot, 166 pounds, might be one of the next men up, as he’s packing more of a punch than his listed weight suggests.
“He’s physical, he ain’t scared to put his head in there,” wide receiver Mookie Cooper said. … “He’s just not afraid to put his head in there and go make contact with a receiver. That’s just something you don’t see too much out of freshmen, especially at his size.”
Need for Williams Nwaneri may increase after injury
Five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri would be most people’s first guess for the freshman most likely to get playing time as a rookie.
More: Here’s where Missouri football could turn after EDGE Darris Smith’s season-ending injury
Mizzou’s staff isn’t planning on rushing the Lee’s Summit North alum onto the field, and have attempted to temper any undue expectations for the top-10 recruit. But a season-ending injury to Darris Smith in camp could hurry his journey to the field.
“The key for us is to not put too many expectations on him,” Drinkwitz said at the start of fall camp. “Just let him learn the standards of how we operate on a day to day basis and when it’s his opportunity he’ll take advantage of it.”
Despite the injury to Smith, the Tigers can still ease Nwaneri into the lineup. Johnny Walker Jr., Zion Young, Joe Moore III, Eddie Kelly and Jakhai Lang all look capable of contributing.
But it would be a surprise not to see Nwaneri at some point to help shoulder the load.
Trajan Greco, Jeremiah Beasley special teams candidates
There’s a tough road to defensive reps for Missouri football’s young safeties, with more returning production there than any other spot on the defense. At linebacker, between returning their Cotton Bowl starters and finding experience in the portal, MU seems to have its two-deep sorted.
But, safety Trajan Greco and linebacker Jeremiah Beasley may still play important roles this season, coming in the form of coverage unit reps.
“Trajan Greco is a guy that’s really stood out,” Drinkwitz said Saturday. “Jeremiah Beasley has really stood out as guys who can find a role, whether that’s on special teams, so it’s been good.”
More: Projecting Mizzou football’s first defensive depth chart of 2024
Will Mizzou’s blue-chip WRs play?
Four-star wide receivers James Madison II and Courtney Crutchfield both have flashed in camp. Crutchfield hauled in a one-handed grab during 1-on-1 drills during Tuesday’s workout on Faurot Field for one of the more impressive plays of the day. Madison’s 6-3 frame, in particular, makes him an intriguing option.
But the depth of players ahead of them will make offensive snaps sparse.
The Tigers don’t have a set-in-stone punt-returner at this point in camp, although Drinkwitz said Saturday that the team has a “pretty clear idea” who the top two players will be on that front this season. The coach added that six wide receivers have been taking reps at the position: Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, Daniel Blood and the two true freshmen, Crutchfield and Madison.
An awareness walk took place in Columbia Saturday that brings attention to a genetic disorder.
The eighth annual Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis took place on May 30 at Stephens Lake Park.
The event helps raise money and awareness for people who have the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis (NF).
There are three types of NF: neurofibromatosis type one (NF1), neurofibromatosis type two-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN), and schwannomatosis.
While the three types of NF are genetically distinct, they share the common feature of causing tumors.
The severity of symptoms and the specific manifestations of the disorders can vary significantly from person to person.
NF1 is the most common of the conditions, affecting approximately one in 2,500.
NF2 affects around one in 25,000 and other schwannomatosis types affect around one in 40,000.
Together, the disorders affect at least 1 in 2,000 people or approximately four million worldwide.
Anyone can be born with an NF disorder, and they have a 50% chance of passing it on.
For Christina Thomas, an organizer for Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis, the walk means “the world” to her.
“I’ve always been about advocating for NF and bringing people together,” Thomas said. “It’s awesome to see so many people coming together who have it.”
Thomas is the third generation in her family to have NF, and three of her four kids also have the condition.
“I grew up thinking my family was the only one with it. To me, it’s very important to be able to let people know that they’re not the only ones with it.”
Thomas said she was often teased when she was younger because her father, who also has NF, had tumors all over his body.
“I was always made fun of because of his appearance. People tell me, ‘You don’t want to get close to her she’s contagious.’”
Thomas said she joined the walk because she wants to bring people together who have NF and let them know they are not alone.
Another of her goals is to get the attention from the University of Missouri.
“Our ultimate goal is to get the attention of the University of Missouri, because not for me, not for my kids, but maybe for my grandkids or the ones that are nearly diagnosed, for us to have an NF clinic here instead of having to travel to Kansas City or St. Louis for expert care.”
She said the best way for the community to support those living with NF is through education and awareness.
“We’re always about advocating. We’re always about bringing awareness.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 29, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 29 drawing
19-24-47-59-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 6-4-0
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 8-5-3
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 3-4-8-0
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 6-8-4-1
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 29 drawing
Early Bird: 10
Morning: 03
Matinee: 12
Prime Time: 14
Night Owl: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 29 drawing
07-16-25-26-36
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
SHELL KNOB, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) -A Barry County man recently broke the Missouri state record after catching a yellow bass on Table Rock Lake.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Danny Naugle, of Cassville, reeled in the record-breaking fish while fishing on Table Rock Lake on May 13. The fish broke the state record previously set in 1995.
The fish weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 16.5 inches. It was just two ounces shy of the world record, the department said.
MDC said Naugle normally casts for crappie, using an ultra-light rod and lights to draw baitfish.
The previous record was set in 1995 by a 9-ounce fish caught from a slough off the Mississippi River, according to MDC.
The department said Naugle plans to get the yellow bass mounted. His catch marks the first state record fish recorded for 2026.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
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