The 2026 college football season is already generating buzz in Columbia, where the Missouri Tigers are looking to build on a promising recent run. With a new crop of playmakers emerging, the program’s staff and fans are watching a handful of athletes who could exceed expectations and perhaps even reshape the team’s trajectory.
Rising Stars on the Offensive Side of the Ball
Xai’Shaun Edwards, a redshirt freshman running back, posted 88.4 yards per game and found the end zone on a regular basis last year. His blend of speed and vision has drawn early praise from analysts who see a potential breakout in the upcoming campaign.
Joining him in the backfield, Dante McClellan brings a different kind of spark. Originally a linebacker, he made a splash on special teams with a debut pick‑six and later secured a bowl‑game muffled‑punt recovery. Coaches are now experimenting with a hybrid role that could maximize his knack for the ball.
A Defensive End Eyeing the Draft
Defensive end Daeden Hopkins has caught the eye of head coach Eli Drinkwitz, who has publicly labeled him a potential first‑round pick. At 6‑6 and 237 pounds, Hopkins fits the physical prototype that NFL scouts covet, and his pass‑rush technique has shown steady improvement during spring drills.
The excitement around Hopkins is not isolated. Missouri has seen the SEC’s leading rusher emerge in three of the past five seasons, and the team’s recent turnover at linebacker — three of last year’s top four have moved on — creates a vacuum that new talent is eager to fill. Ahmad Hardy, Jamal Roberts, Austin Simmons, Zion Young, Damon Wilson II and Daylan Carnell are among those expected to step into larger roles.
Beyond individual statistics, the broader narrative reflects a program that consistently develops talent capable of competing at the highest level. As the roster reshapes, the blend of experience and fresh energy suggests that the Tigers could be poised for a surprise‑filled season.