The bad news: despite back-to-back SEC East titles, we haven’t seen an appreciable jump in the quality of the talent Missouri has been able to attract in recruiting.

The good news: neither has there been a drop from the recruiting level at which coach Gary Pinkel has been very successful. Plus, the team has secured 70 percent of its commitments out of state. While Pinkel continues to spearhead a strong push for facilities upgrades, there are signs that the imprint of the brand slowly is expanding.

The team has a dire need on the interior of the offensive line, with one player — three-star guard Mackenzie Nworah of Manvel, Texas — already lined up at the position group. Mizzou also needs another cornerback or two, although the Tigers appear on track to addressing a need in the backfield.

Running back Natereace Strong, a member of the solid ’15 class before failing to qualify academically, is on track to become eligible in ’16 and has reaffirmed his intention to play college football in Columbia, Mo. He’s the top-rated current commitment in this Mizzou recruiting cycle, and his teammate at Hinds Community College, safety Greg Taylor, also remains pointed toward the Tigers.

The team remains focused on landing at least one more running back, with in-state No. 1 A.J. Taylor a top target. Missouri failed to retain the state’s top prep player in ’12 and ’13, but after signing quarterback Drew Lock in February, convincing Taylor twould set a strong precedent.

ASSESSING MISSOURI’S 2016 CLASS

Current commits or enrollees: 11 (avg. star 2.8; last year: 3.1)
Current big-name targets: OT Matt Farniok, CB J’Marcus Rhodes, RB A.J. Taylor
Biggest positions of need: RB, CB, interior OL
National/SEC rank: 34/11

NOTABLE COMMITS

NAT RANK PLAYER STAR POSITION HEIGHT WEIGHT
11* Natereace Strong 4 RB 6-1 210
515 Tre Williams 3 DE 6-4 220
32* Greg Taylor 3 S 5-11 180

*Junior college transfer