University of Missouri

Missouri Tigers’ top recruit from last season — a KC standout — to enter transfer portal

Missouri will lose its top-rated recruit from the previous season to the transfer portal, according to On3sports.

Defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri is expected to transfer, the outlet said Tuesday morning. The former Lee’s Summit North standout appeared in four games for the Tigers this season, recording one sack and two tackles, all in a victory at Massachusetts. He played 38 snaps this season.

Nwaneri will have four years of eligibility remaining. He was a five-star prospect and Mizzou’s highest rated recruit since wide receiver Luther Burden in 2022. He also considered Georgia, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” Nwaneri told On3sports after he pledged to the Tigers. “But I had to do what was best for me. Really, I felt like I was most comfortable with that coaching staff. It’s close to home and all that, so I felt like it was the right decision for me at the time.”

At one point, Nwaneri was the first-ever No. 1-ranked prospect from the KC metro. He finished ranked No. 7 nationally by On3, No. 6 by 247Sports and No. 8 by Rivals.

Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER