Gary Pinkel talks 2015 recruiting class, Beckner Jr. and NCAA rules
Missouri’s 2015 class finished ranked on the edge of the Top 25, depending on which recruiting service to which you subscribe.
Overall, it was a very strong class for the Tigers, and after an exhausting final push that landed Terry Beckner Jr., coach Gary Pinkel and the staff deserve the opportunity to pat themselves on the back. Pinkel took full advantage during a press conference Wednesday evening.
Pinkel: "We always believe in our evaluation system. We have a system we believe in. I think we develop players as good as anybody."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: Knew about Beckner Jr. since he was a freshman. Good person, humble. Wasn't sure what was going to happen this morning.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) February 4, 2015
Pinkel said he wasn't watching when Beckner decided: "I was expecting to hear yells, or expecting to hear nothing at all."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: Beckner could have gone anywhere in the nation. Lauds his family, believes that helped #Mizzou. Also can achieve goals at #DLineZou.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) February 4, 2015
Pinkel on Beckner: "He can help take us maybe where he's never been before."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: "Getting our footprint in the SEC states has been really good. Our success in the SEC has stamped an approval rating of Mizzou."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: "Recruiting, it's never been as positive for Mizzou football" as it is now. Mentions Cornell Ford, Andy Hill's jobs in STL, KC.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel on Lock: "Drew is a very, very talented player." Mentions that Michigan recruited him heavily late in the process
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) February 4, 2015
Pinkel mentions Lock's father and grandfather played at MU: "I think that was important to him, to carry that on."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Pinkel speaks glowingly about #Mizzou QB commit Drew Lock. Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh tried to flip Lock late in the process.
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) February 4, 2015
Coach Pinkel says #Mizzou will make a decision on another defensive assistant "in the next couple days."
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: Cost of attendance is a great plus for student-athletes, who can't have part-time jobs. Something that's very positive.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: We've been talking to parents about new NCAA rules … food, cost of attendance, $ for working camps. Had one parent ask recently.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) February 4, 2015
Pinkel favors an early signing date but doesn't want recruiting calendar tweaked too much.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) February 4, 2015
Pinkel: "I want every player we recruit to want to play as a freshman. I don't want guys saying, 'I want to sit a couple years.'"
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 4, 2015
Craig Kuligowski on why he stayed at #Mizzou: "I want to win."
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) February 4, 2015
