‘Every recruit is different:’ Mizzou coach Curtis Luper brings recruiting prowess
When Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz hired Curtis Luper as running backs coach, he knew the years of experience Luper brought.
Luper spent the past three years as co-offensive coordinator at TCU. He also coached at other power conference schools, Oklahoma State and Auburn, in varying roles. Drinkwitz met Luper — and a few other assistants — from their time at Auburn, when Drinkwitz first joined the college coaching ranks as a quality-control assistant.
No matter where Luper has coached through the years, there’s been a constant: his recruiting prowess. When Drinkwitz and Luper first connected at Auburn, Luper was also recruiting coordinator.
“Just like anything else, it’s work, it’s hard work,” Luper said of recruiting. “You can outwork people with the relationships. It starts there. It starts with relationships and work. There’s a level of believability that you must have. I think I have it.”
Luper’s reputation as a recruiter is well known within coaching circles. He had a direct hand in recruiting Cam Newton at Auburn and Dez Bryant at Oklahoma State, both college stars and eventual NFL pros.
Mizzou tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Casey Woods credited Luper for a large bulk of his recruiting knowledge. They met at Auburn when Woods was also a quality-control assistant.
“Three-quarters of my recruiting manual comes from Curtis Luper,” Woods said. “He was our recruiting coordinator at Auburn. Did a fantastic job. I’ve learned as much from him as anybody in this business about recruiting and organization.”
Of the many reasons Luper joined Mizzou and Drinkwitz, it was because of its status as the flagship school of the state. Everywhere Luper has been — whether it was Oklahoma State or Auburn — there was another Power 5 program within state borders. At Mizzou, there’s no such direct competition in state.
But when it comes to recruiting, Luper said it’s about developing relationships — and also knowing who the “champion” is. That’s who Luper calls the person close to a prospect who helps make the final decision during the recruiting process. Mix in building relationships with high school coaches and it ultimately comes down to out-working the competition.
“Every instance is different,” Luper said. “Every recruit is different. The family dynamic of every recruit is different. The sooner you can figure all that out, the better off your chances will be. So, it’s like a puzzle. You kind of put the pieces together like a puzzle.”
To Mizzou’s benefit, Drinkwitz also pointed to Luper’s connection to Dallas and Texas overall as especially noteworthy.
Within a handful of weeks on the job, the Tigers already made a big splash in the Dallas recruiting scene, landing three-star cornerback Ennis Rakestraw on National Signing Day.
“Coach Luper does an outstanding job of coaching but is a dynamic recruiter in Dallas in the past,” Drinkwitz said. “The Dallas metro area has been a huge part of Mizzou’s success, especially under coach (Gary) Pinkel. I want to tap into that again.”
There’s also a familiar face for Luper in Mizzou’s quarterback room: Shawn Robinson, the projected starter for the 2020 season. Robinson spent his first two seasons from 2017-18 at TCU, starting 12 games at quarterback when Luper was co-offensive coordinator.
But even that relationship goes beyond the Xs and Os. Luper recruited Robinson, meaning the two have known each other since Robinson was in the 10th grade.
“Shawn has all the tools,” Luper said. “Big arm. He has all the intangibles. He can run the football. He’s a big, physical specimen. I think he has everything that it takes to do well in this league.”
Luper’s son, Chance Luper, is also set to join the program. The three-star wide receiver initially committed to Boise State but received an offer during the early signing period from Drinkwitz. He has yet to formally sign his National Letter of Intent with Mizzou.
After the past month saw Drinkwitz and his assistants heavily on the recruiting trail to shore up the class of 2020, the next step is spring football, with practices starting March 7.
Luper said he’s already watched every snap the Mizzou running backs took last year in assessing the positional group. The Tigers return intriguing talent in the backfield, including Larry Rountree and Tyler Badie.
In earning the trust of his new players, that’s also a different form of recruiting, Luper said.
“Recruiting our current roster is more important than recruiting the 2020 class,” Luper said. “We started that process the minute we stepped on campus. Those recruits, the ones on our team now, the players are on our team now, are far more important than those who aren’t here.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM.