Eli Drinkwitz’s Thoughts on Mizzou’s 3 Offensive Transfer Additions
The focus for the Missouri Tigers this spring has been offense. All three of the additions Missouri has made through the spring window of the transfer portal thus far have been on that side of the ball.
After finishing 11th in the Southeastern Conference in yards per game, and 10th in points, Missouri is looking to revamp that unit. The Tigers are also losing key contributors in quarterback Brady Cook, along with wide receivers Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr.
“Offensively, we were not what we wanted to be from an explosive standpoint, or scoring standpoint, and so that’s something that we’ve got to really re-establish,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a press conference Tuesday at the ‘ZOU to YOU’ event in the St. Louis area. “It starts with adding good players.”
All three of those signings have added depth and possible starters to already competitive position groups.
The one entering possibly the deepest room is tight end Gavin Hoffman, who was Missouri’s first addition this April after departing Iowa. The 6-foot-5, 237-pound Kansas City-area product brings impressive size and athleticism.
“It was awesome to get Gavin back,” Drinkwitz said. “It was really one of those opportunities to have a best player available. Brett (Norfleet) and Jordan (Harris) have established themselves as elite players at that position, very consistent, but you can never have enough, 6’5 240 pound guys who run and can catch the ball and add value on special teams.”
Hoffman was rated as a four-star prospect out of high school, with Missouri trying to land the Overland Park, Kansas native before he committed to Iowa. After redshirting his first season, he’ll look to carve out space for himself in the Missouri tight end room.
“Gavin didn’t get to play very much last year, but watching the tape of what he was able to do, I anticipate he’ll find a role for us,” Drinkwitz said.
READ: What Transfer Gavin Hoffman Adds to Mizzou Tight End Room
Missouri added another Kansas City-area pass catcher, with former Illinois State wide receiver Xavier Loyd committing to program. He spent the first year of his career at Kansas State before a 912-yard, six-touchdown season at Illinois State.
Missouri has some exciting potential in its receiver room, but Loyd adds some needed experience and versatility, being able to play on the boundary and in the slot.
