Mizzou football adds 2021 running back Taj Butts and tight end Ryan Hoerstkamp
The Missouri Tigers and MU coach Eliah Drinkwitz gained their fifth and sixth commitments for their class of 2021: three-star running back Taj Butts and three-star tight end Ryan Hoerstkamp. Butts announced his commitment Saturday on Twitter, and Hoerstkamp did the same.
Butts is the second De Smet High product out of St. Louis to stay in-state with the Tigers, joining defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Butts is the No. 561 recruit in the country, according to 247Sports. Butts was reportedly offered by other power programs, too, including Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana, before choosing Mizzou.
Hoerstkamp is another committed recruit from the east side of the state, hailing from the town of Washington. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Hoerstkamp is the 796th-ranked recruit in the country, according to 247Sports. He reportedly had offers from Michigan State, Texas Tech, Indiana, Arizona and other power-conference schools.
Butts was the fourth offensive pledge of the class while Hoerstkamp was the fifth, joining quarterback Tyler Macon (East St. Louis), offensive lineman Connor Tollison (Jackson, Missouri) and tight end Gavin McKay (Memphis). Wingo is the lone defensive recruit — at least so far.
Mizzou earns two more commitments despite the NCAA mandating a temporary recruiting dead period through May 31. That means teams aren’t allowed any on- or off-campus recruiting, though they are allowed to virtually evaluate and contact recruits.
From the beginning of Drinkwitz’s time as Mizzou’s head coach, he’s stressed how important in-state recruiting is and its history in the program. While it’s still early, those efforts thus far are paying dividends. Of the six pledges thus far, four are from Missouri with one more being from East St. Louis, Illinois.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 6:25 PM.