Missouri enjoyed one of the nation’s top rushing attacks last season, highlighted by Ahmad Hardy’s impressive debut in Columbia. Still, head coach Eli Drinkwitz is looking to strengthen the Tigers’ offense overall, and he’s making aggressive moves in the transfer portal.
The Tigers have landed a commitment from former Arizona State offensive lineman Josh Atkins, who will play his final collegiate season in Columbia. Atkins, a 3-star recruit in the 2021 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, originally chose Houston over programs like New Mexico, Liberty, and North Texas.
After signing with Houston, Atkins didn’t see game action but transferred to Hawaii in 2023, where he played a full season before spending the last two years at Arizona State. Across those three seasons, he started 39 consecutive games at left tackle, showcasing his durability and consistency.
A key factor in bringing Atkins to Missouri was Brandon Jones, the Tigers’ current offensive line coach, who originally recruited him to Houston.
With Josh Atkins in the fold, Missouri now has flexibility along the offensive line. He could slot in at either tackle position, giving Eli Drinkwitz more options to develop a dominant line and a more balanced, potent offense for the upcoming season.
