Mizzou lands commitment from top-ranked JUCO defender
By Mark Kern
Published:
Mizzou and coach Eli Drinkwitz are off to a 4-0 start on the season. The Tigers will be in action on Saturday as they host UMass in their final non-conference game of the season.
While they are finding success on the field, the Tigers are also getting it done on the recruiting trail. On Thursday, Mizzou landed a verbal commitment from Hutchinson C.C. (Texas) defensive lineman DeMarcus Johnson, the top-ranked junior college recruit in the 2026 class.
Johnson is a big get for the Tigers, as he is the No. 1 player in the juco class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound defensive lineman chose the Tigers over other schools such as LSU, USC, West Virginia, and Mississippi State.
A big reason why he decided to go to Missouri is because of his relationship with the Tigers’ edge rusher coach, Brian Early.
“It’s the perfect place for me to stay locked in and show the world what I can do,” Johnson told Rivals. “[Early has] been in my corner ever since high school.”
He is the 11th player to commit to the Tigers in this class, and could have a chance to contribute immediately for the Tigers in 2026. Last season, Johnson produced 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and a blocked kick.
You can see his highlight tape below, via Hudl:
