Missouri’s receiving corps has received a major boost this offseason as wide receiver Joshua Manning has decided to return to the Tigers after exploring the NCAA transfer portal but receiving no formal offers from other programs.
Manning, who entered the portal following the 2025 season, was coming off his best year at Missouri, recording 318 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound wideout had been a key contributor despite Missouri relying heavily on its rushing attack led by All-American running back Ahmad Hardy.
Originally a four-star recruit in the 2023 class and ranked ninth in Missouri and No. 37 nationally among wide receivers, Manning finished third on the team in receptions with 29 and tied for second in touchdowns last season. His return provides a stabilizing presence for a position group that had already lost star receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. to graduation.
The decision comes amid uncertainty surrounding the Tigers’ coaching staff, which lost former offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to a head coaching job at Washington State. With rumors swirling around head coach Eli Drinkwitz and multiple players entering the transfer portal, Manning’s choice to stay brings much-needed continuity to Missouri’s offense.
With Manning back in the fold, Missouri now turns its attention to filling other roster gaps and preparing for the upcoming Gator Bowl against Virginia on Dec. 27, while also navigating the broader challenges of the transfer portal, which officially opens on Jan. 2.
