A Look Ahead: Five Names to Know in the Class of 2025

With the 2024 football recruiting cycle nearing its end, the majority of teams will shift their focus to 2025 recruits. Here are five prospects that have the Missouri Tigers among their top schools.

Iose Epenesa, EDGE

Epenesa is a 4-star EDGE rusher from Edwardsville, Ill. Epenesa is ranked No. 32 in the country and No. 4 in his position.

Though there have not been many updates in his recruitment, it makes sense that Iowa would be a top choice for the top 50 prospect. Iose is the younger brother of current Buffalo Bill and former second-round pick A.J. Epenesa. 

The Tigers had Epenesa on campus in their home victory against South Carolina on Oct. 21 and has not been around since. Epenesa is considered local, so that may give the Tigers some sort of edge. It is too early to narrow down a destination.

Isaiah Mozee, WR

The Lee Summit native has been to Columbia multiple times this past season. The 4-star receiver received multiple predictions to join the Oklahoma Sooners over the past season but has not pledged his commitment anywhere. 

Mozee is a 6-1, 185-pound receiver hailing from Lee Summit North High School, the former school of 5-star signee Williams Nwaneri. Mozee is composite ranked No. 111 in the country.

It is at least likely that Mozee will consider his hometown team, but like many uncommitted 2025 recruits, there isn't much information on where he may be going at the moment. 

Mozee had a productive junior season, going for 1033 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 74 receptions. Through his three years, he's caught 173 passes for 2338 yards and 29 touchdowns. 

Missouri-based receivers have seen what St. Louis native Luther Burden III has done in his two years as a Tiger, paving a path for receivers to dominate in their current offense. Mozee could be the next man up in succession of Burden.

Chauncey Gooden, IOL

Gooden is a huge offensive guard from Nashville, Tenn. Gooden ranks No. 217 in composite rankings, as well as being the No. 14 interior lineman in the nation. 

Gooden listed a top ten on Dec. 22 which included Missouri. The other schools apart of the list were Michigan, Oregon, Auburn, Colorado, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina and Georgia. 

Early on, the top-ranked offensive lineman seems to like the Michigan Wolverines, with Ann Arbor being one destination he would like to officially visit. 

According to the On3 recruiting prediction model, the Tennessee Volunteers lead the way for the top-rated guards' recruitment. 

Brennen Ward, QB

Ward, a native of Gahanna, Ohio, is a composite 3-star quarterback. Ward is the No. 559 player in the country as well as the No. 41 quarterback.

Ward was on campus for the win against Florida on Nov. 18. The 3-star quarterback is expected to return for an official visit, as well as returning for Junior Day on Jan. 20.

He has received offers from other power five schools such as Kentucky, Virginia and Boston College. He also holds offers from the majority of MAC schools, including Akron, Central Michigan and Toledo, according to 247Sports. 

This past season for Lincoln High School, the sought-after quarterback threw for 2482 yards and 21 touchdowns. He did well on the ground as well, totaling 168 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Ward also threw eight interceptions this past season.

Dawson Merritt, LB

Dawson Merritt is flying up recruiting rankings on every site known as offers are being thrown his way. Merritt is not ranked in any composite rankings, but is a 4-star linebacker according to 247Sports and Rivals.

In 247Sports rankings Merritt comes in at No. 130 in the country. In Rivals rankings, he is not ranked in the Top250 but is the No. 22 linebacker.

According to 810varsity, a Kansas High School stat tracker, Merritt tallied 83 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. This statistical explosion during his junior year has led to  an influx of offers.

Merritt comes from Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kans. Merritt has offers from many high-profile midwest schools, including Kansas State, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa State. His other offers come from different spots in the country, featuring Washingon, Utah, Michigan State, Arizona State and Arizona.

The Tigers had the 6-3 linebacker on campus for a loss against LSU early in the season and haven't had him back since. Given the 4-star is around two hours from Columbia, as well as the recent success of the Tigers, expect Merritt to visit campus at some point.