Texas Bowl

31 Texas Tigers Make Return Trip Home

From day one of his tenure at Missouri, Head Coach Gary Pinkel identified the state of Texas as a recruiting priority.  Over the years, the Tigers have mined the state for athletes who developed into All-Big 12 honorees, including the likes of MU’s all-time career passing leader and 2007 Heisman finalist QB Chase Daniel (Southlake), 2009 NFL Draft 1st-Round pick Ziggy Hood (Amarillo), career QB sacks leader, Brian Smith (Denton), as well as current stars LB Sean Weatherspoon (Jasper) and WR Danario Alexander (Marlin).

Mizzou features 31 Texas natives on its roster in 2009, including six projected starters, including Weatherspoon and Alexander, along with sophomore WR Jerrell Jackson (Houston), sophomore DT Dominique Hamilton (El Paso), sophomore LB Will Ebner (Friendswood) and junior CB Kevin Rutland (Houston).  Senior WR Jared Perry (La Marque) could be a 7th Texas starter, if he’s able to play (he missed the last two games due to a leg injury).  Add to that mix some key reserves such as sophomore DE Jacquies Smith (Dallas), sophomore S Kenji Jackson (Mansfield), LB Zaviar Gooden (Pflugerville), freshman TB Kendial Lawrence (Rockwall), freshman CB Kip Edwards (Arlington) and senior S Del Howard (Dallas) and there’s quite a flavor of Texans on the field at any time for the Tigers.

In addition, two of Mizzou’s four true freshmen who have seen the field in 2009 are from the Lone Star State, including Lawrence and LB Donovan Bonner (Dallas).