Valley View (Arkansas) linebacker Brian Huff commits to Missouri over Arkansas, others

Huff's decision came down to Arkansas, Missouri, UNLV and UCF

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Kevin Turbeville

Valley View star Brian Huff announced on Wednesday that he will be continuing his football career under Arkansas native Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers.

"It really came down to the relationship I had with the coaching staff. We talk pretty much every day and it feels like a family," Huff said. "Everything felt right when I went on my visit and I just felt like it was the place for me." 

The four-star prospect was rated by most recruiting services as a Top 5 in-state player for the 2024 class, while On3 lists Huff, a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, as the 23rd-best overall linebacker. His choices came down to the Tigers, along with the home state Razorbacks, Central Florida and UNLV, while other offers included LSU, Oklahoma and Notre Dame. 

Huff collected 92 total tackles as a junior - 25 solo and seven for loss - three fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, forced a fumble, and blocked a field goal for the 5A-East champions, helping them to a quarterfinal finish in the playoffs. 

Missouri emerged as a favorite earlier in the spring after they proved to Huff that he is one of their top priorities for the 2024 class.

"They speak to me every day and they love me over there. I'm at the top of their board," Huff told On3's Sam Spiegelman in March. "That was awesome to hear. That's a great school. It's the SEC and knowing that they want me that bad is a great feeling."

Assuming Huff signs with the Tigers, he will be the the third from Arkansas to player under Drinkwitz, joining 2023 signee Jordon Harris of Pine Bluff, along with Fort Smith Northside's Dreyden Norwood who transferred from Texas A&M during the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Missouri is 17-19, 11-15 in SEC play, heading into the fourth season under Drinkwitz, an Alma alumnus. The Tigers tied for fourth in the SEC East in 2022, finishing with a 6-7 record and lost to Wake Forrest in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.