SB Nation Kansas City - Dorial Green-Beckham Signs Letter Of Intent With Missourihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-02-02T10:07:25-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24838892012-02-02T10:07:25-06:002012-02-02T10:07:25-06:00College Football Recruiting Rankings, 2012: Missouri Makes Headlines, But Can't Finish In Top 25
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<p>Missouri might have made the single biggest splash among its newly acquired SEC peers on National Signing Day by besting Arkansas for the services of Dorial Green-Beckham, but the Tigers couldn't crack the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/2/1/2765285/college-football-recruiting-rankings-2012-alabama-texas-florida-ohio-state/in/2528667">Top 25 in SB Nation's college recruiting classes</a>.</p>
<p>The SB Nation recruiting class ranking is an average of the four major recruiting services' rankings (Rivals, Scout, 24/7 and ESPN). Based on those numbers, the Tigers fell into the "Just Missed" category, along with Arkansas, Baylor, California and Rutgers.</p>
<p>Mizzou's class of 18 total commits ranked <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/teamrank/2012/all/all">No. 33 by Rivals.com</a>, <a href="http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2012">No. 35 by Scout.com</a> and <a href="http://247sports.com/Team/Ranking">No. 32 by 24/7</a>. What's more interesting is the fact that despite taking the nation's best wideout (DGB) and center (Lee's Summit, Missouri's Evan Boehm), the Tigers are still behind the majority of the SEC. For instance, even at No. 35 on Scout, the Tigers are ahead of only No. 44 Vanderbilt and No. 63 Ole Miss.</p>
<p>Contrast that with what could have been if the Tigers were still in the Big 12 - at No. 35 on Scout.com, Mizzou would have finished sixth in the entire conference (behind Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Texas Tech and Baylor), rather than 12th. Superstar talent like "DGB" is an undeniable asset for the Tigers, but it's just part of the equation in building a top tier SEC squad.</p>
<p>For a complete look at SB Nation's Top 25 recruiting classes, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/2/1/2765285/college-football-recruiting-rankings-2012-alabama-texas-florida-ohio-state/in/2528667">click here</a>.</p>
<p><i>For news and updates on Missouri football, go to <a href="http://rockmnation.com">Rock M Nation</a> and<a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com"> SB Nation Kansas City</a>. For everything in the world of college football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football page</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/2/2766320/college-football-recruiting-rankings-2012-missouri-dorial-green-beckhamSteven Godfrey2012-02-01T12:00:44-06:002012-02-01T12:00:44-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Gives Missouri Tigers Red Zone Target They Needed
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85958/t-j-moe">T.J. Moe</a> is a fine receiver. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115134/james-franklin">James Franklin</a> is a dynamic two way threat at quarterback. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115145/henry-josey">Henry Josey</a> was leading the Big 12 in rushing yards when he was lost for the season. It's clear that Missouri already had plenty of offensive talent on board and that doesn't need to get lost in the shuffle surrounding Dorial Green-Beckham. But it's also clear that Missouri was at its best in Gary Pinkel's offense when they landed an impact receiver who can be the red zone target for a guy like Franklin. Now they have him.</p>
<p>DGB's announcement today that he would choose Missouri over Arkansas and Oklahoma was a major coup for Pinkel and signified that Missouri can compete with SEC powers for some of the top recruits in the region. But on the field, it will pay dividends as well, as Missouri has never replaced former receivers like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8092/jeremy-maclin">Jeremy Maclin</a> and now must deal with the loss of another great tight end in Michael Egnew. <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/44879/dgb-exactly-what-sec-bound-mizzou-needed">David Ubben of ESPN writes:</a></p>
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<p>On the field, Green-Beckham offers the Tigers exactly what they needed. The past two seasons, Mizzou's remained productive without a big-play receiver that ranked among the league's most physically gifted. That changes now. When the Tigers' offense had gamebreakers like Jeremy Maclin and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8162/danario-alexander">Danario Alexander</a>, it was at its best. DGB's arrival could signify a move back to those days. <br> <br>The 6-foot-6, 220-pound receiver should replace departed tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/49765/michael-egnew">Michael Egnew's</a> presence in the red zone, too. DGB has a great ability to catch balls at the highest point, and it's hard to imagine the physically-imposing target not becoming a reliable option there.</p>
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<p>DGB was a record-setter in high school and the only limitations to his on-field ability there was the amount of time in a game. As long as he was on the field, he was moving the chains for Hillcrest, so Missouri has to look forward to the same. While the level of competition will increase, DGB himself is a specimen who is only getting started.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763798/dorial-green-beckham-gives-missouri-tigers-red-zone-target-they-neededMatt Conner2012-02-01T10:47:25-06:002012-02-01T10:47:25-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Picks Missouri, Best Result For Both Parties
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<p>Some Missouri fans say they were confident this morning, but honestly most Missouri fans were at the very most cautiously optimistic that the No. 1-ranked player in the nation, Dorial Green-Beckham, would commit to be a Tiger on National Signing Day.</p>
<p>In a press conference televised by <span class="caps">ESPNU</span>, Green-Beckham did in fact announce that he would be a Missouri Tiger for at least the next three years, choosing Missouri over Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.</p>
<p>With the most-hyped press conference in Springfield’s history behind us, the fact that Green-Beckham chose to stay in his home state and attend the University of Missouri tells us a lot about both the player and the team.</p>
<p>With his decision, Green-Beckham has put himself in one of the more pass-happy offenses of the past 10 years, joining a great group of young receivers including Marcus Lucas, L’Damian Washington, Jimmie Hunt and Bud Sasser. Along with those young guns, Green-Beckham will be learning leadership and toughness from senior wideout TJ Moe.</p>
<p>It’s not just his fellow receivers either. Green-Beckham will be catching passes from quarterback James Franklin for the next two seasons, most likely, but the Tigers also have a lot of young and promising depth behind him. Corbin Berkstresser, a former 4-star recruit, was said to have the best arm strength on the team last year. Pinkel also picked up a gem in this year’s recruiting class in Maty Mauk, a 3-star quarterback that was named the Ohio High School Player of the Year and holds national records for passing yards, completions and touchdowns.</p>
<p>In the sense of teammates surrounding him, this is the perfect situation for the No. 1 recruit in the nation.</p>
<p>It’s not like Green-Beckham won’t be getting any exposure either. We are all probably sick of hearing about Missouri’s move to the <span class="caps">SEC</span>, but <span class="caps">DGB</span> said in an <span class="caps">ESPNU</span> interview that the school’s conference change had a big effect on his decision.</p>
<p>For Mizzou, this kind of recruiting win couldn’t have come at a better time. With Green-Beckham picking Mizzou, a “less prestigious program” that the other finalist, Arkansas (that is debatable), he has singlehandedly improved the credibility of Missouri recruiting to levels that were unthinkable for the school only five years ago.</p>
<p>Gary Pinkel, Dave Yost and their staff showed that they can go out and seal the borders of Missouri, keeping any level of recruit in the state to play their college football at Mizzou.</p>
<p>By securing the number one player in an entire class, the coaching staff can use this signing as evidence that they can get anyone in the nation.</p>
<p>Some are worried that expectations are too high for the No. 1 player in the nation, but when you look at the stats, he warrants that kind of attention. Green-Beckham set the national record for career receiving yards with 6,356 yards, so it’s not like his success has been overstated and its not like he doesn’t have a lot of potential. People may say he is overrated, but Missouri really has never had a recruit at this level. Excitement is warranted for Tiger fans.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763873/dorial-green-beckham-picks-missouri-signing-day-2012J B2012-02-01T10:09:07-06:002012-02-01T10:09:07-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Proves Missouri Tigers Can Recruit With SEC's Finest, Brings Out Worst In SEC Fans
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<p>The Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies are being watched closely as they leave the Big 12 and head to the <span class="caps">SEC</span> for multiple reasons. They are largely unknown quantities for <span class="caps">SEC</span> fans who wonder just how good (or bad) they will be. Will they become new powers for current teams to overcome? Will they languish like Kentucky and Ole Miss? That will largely depend on how well they can recruit in their new environment. So far, so good for Missouri.</p>
<p>Gary Pinkel had to be ecstatic when he watched the feed of Dorial Green-Beckham placing a <span class="caps">MIZZOU</span> hat upon his head at the announcement today at Hillcrest in Springfield, Missouri. <span class="caps">DGB</span> was the best wide receiver recruit this year and he’s the type of impact receiver that Oklahoma State has enjoyed for the last few years in Justin Blackmon. Talents like this come along very rarely, so this is a major commit for Pinkel’s staff.</p>
<p>More importantly, it sends a sign to the rest of the <span class="caps">SEC</span> that Missouri is real. One look at DGB’s Twitter feed shows numerous college football fans hurling insults and cursing him for not choosing their particular school. In the process many are dogging Missouri. Yet if you think many people are doing the same to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt or Kentucky… well, you get the point. The emotions are coming out because there’s a fear in play — whethey they will admit it or not.</p>
<p><span class="caps">DGB</span> changes the landscape as Missouri proves it can not only host top shelf talent but lure it in for the final commitment as well. In short, if Green-Beckham wants to be a part of the Missouri offense, many more will as well.</p>
<p>“Green-Beckham was easily the best player in Missouri, and could develop into a truly transcendent talent,” <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/44879/dgb-exactly-what-sec-bound-mizzou-needed">writes David Ubben</a>. “What do transcendent talents do? Attract even more talent. <span class="caps">DGB</span> may become one of Missouri’s most valuable recruiters, both symbolically and literally, when top recruits make future visits to Columbia’s campus. <span class="caps">DGB</span> came. Why can’t future top recruits?”</p>
<p>It’s that last question that Missouri fans are happy about, but it’s also the reason other <span class="caps">SEC</span> fans turn nasty. Missouri is a real player in their new home. Like it or not, here they come.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763770/dorial-green-beckham-proves-missouri-tigers-can-recruit-with-secsMatt Conner2012-02-01T09:32:33-06:002012-02-01T09:32:33-06:00VIDEO: Dorial Green-Beckham Commits To Missouri
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<p>The nation's best wide receiver - and arguably the single best player in this 2012 National Signing Day class - is carrying Missouri into the Southeastern Conference. Dorial Green-Beckham committed to the Tigers on Wednesday morning, ending weeks of speculation where the Springfield, Missouri product would end up.</p>
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<p>Take note for next season, college sports fans - "DGB" acknowledged to the ESPNU studio team that Missouri fans loudly chanting his name at a recent home basketball game in Columbia made a big impression on him.</p>
<p>Without Green-Beckham's commitment, the Tigers were rated 13th in the overall team rankings in the Southeastern Conference (ahead of only Kentucky), per Rivals. Expect that number to jump by the end of the day, although with the top end of the SEC gaining steam throughout Signing Day, even with "DGB" it's doubtful Missouri will finish in the top half of the SEC in recruiting.</p>
<p><i>For more on Dorial Green-Beckham and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/missouri-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Missouri Tigers</a>, check out <a href="http://rockmnation.com">Rock M Nation</a>. For all the latest news on National Signing Day, head over to <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">SB Nation's college football page</a>. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763644/video-dorial-green-beckham-commits-to-missouriSteven Godfrey2012-02-01T09:23:26-06:002012-02-01T09:23:26-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Says Missouri Allows Him To 'Stay Home And Fulfill A Dream'
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<p>Reece Davis noted during the <span class="caps">ESPNU</span> broadcast today that Gary Pinkel has to be the “happiest man around” as he sees Dorial Green-Beckham sign his scholarship papers. That much is true. Today <span class="caps">DGB</span> announced that he was going to be able to “fulfill his dreams to play at the University of Missouri,” making the Tigers faithful very happy along the way while others at Arkansas are likely shaking their heads as they wonder what might have been.</p>
<p><span class="caps">DGB</span> is undoubtedly the best wide receiver recruit in the nation and he’s been called one of the best to come out in years. <span class="caps">ESPN</span> has him rated as the No. 3 player in the country.</p>
<p>He immediately joins T.J. Moe in a now-loaded wide receiver corps to team with Henry Josey, the Big 12’s leading rusher until he went down with a season ending knee injury. James Franklin has to be especially pleased knowing he now has an impact downfield talent.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763643/dorial-green-beckham-says-missouri-allows-him-to-stay-home-andMatt Conner2012-02-01T09:17:33-06:002012-02-01T09:17:33-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Commits To Missouri Over Arkansas, Texas
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<p>Dorial Green-Beckham, the No. 1 overall rated recruit in the country according to Rivals, has committed to Missouri, announcing the news live on ESPNU on National Signing Day 2012. Green-Beckham, who played for Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri, chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.</p>
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<p>Green-Beckham has easily been this year's most publicized recruit, and his decision to commit to Missouri has been followed as a three-school race between the Tigers, Arkansas and Texas, and then ultimately a dead heat between Mizzou and the Razorbacks.</p>
<p>Green-Beckham, a 6-foot-6, 220 lb. wide out, is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation and the state of Missouri, and the wide receiver position. ESPNU analyst Tom Luginbill has compared Green-Beckham to recent first round NFL Draft picks Julio Jones and A.J. Green. His addition pushes <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/2/1/2761933/missouri-football-recruiting-2012-national-signing-day-commitments-needs">Missouri's first signing class as a SEC member</a> as the best of Gary Pinkel's tenure with the Tigers. SB Nation college analyst and Rock M Nation blogger Bill C. has a complete breakdown on "DGB" <a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2012/1/30/2756604/dorial-green-beckham-recruitment-arkansas-missouri#storyjump">here</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on Dorial Green-Beckham and Missouri football recruiting, visit <a href="http://rockmnation.com">Rock M Nation</a> and SB Nation Kansas City, click the link for more on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/" target="_blank">National Signing Day 2012</a></i><i>. </i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763512/dorial-green-beckham-commits-to-missouri-over-arkansas-texas-national-signing-day-2012Steven Godfrey2012-02-01T08:12:38-06:002012-02-01T08:12:38-06:00Dorial Green-Beckham Is 'Best Wide Receiver To Come Out Of High School In Years'
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<p>The headline above is no small statement. While media clips are generally designed to inflate or deflate in exaggerated measure, it’s hard to argue that Dorial Green-Beckham is not the best wide receiver not only in this class but over the last few classes. He set high school season and career receiving records all along the way in Springfield, Missouri, so some team is going to find an instant impact on the field whenever he arrives. It’s just a matter of which school he will choose.</p>
<p>The quote above came from <a href="http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4960145" target="new">Scout.com</a>, who describes <span class="caps">DGB</span> accordingly: “All of the athletic tools a coach looks for in a wide receiver prospect. Most taller receivers are deep receivers, fade guys who can out body and out jump smaller defenders, etc, but what sets Green-Beckham apart is that he can not only do those things, but he can do things smaller receivers do as well. He is a very good open field runner who can take short passes and turn them into big plays. May be the best receiver to come out in years.”</p>
<p><span class="caps">DGB</span> will announce his decision in just about an hour at 9:15am CT.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/2/1/2763459/dorial-green-beckham-is-best-wide-receiver-to-come-out-of-high-schoolMatt Conner