Three-star offensive lineman Khalief Canty Jr. commits to Mizzou football
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Khalief Canty Jr. committed to Mizzou, bypassing offers from major programs.
- Canty's pledge marks Missouri’s sixth 2026 commit and first offensive lineman.
- Ex-Mizzou lineman Yasir Durant also signed a one-year NFL deal with the Patriots.
Another day, another commitment for Mizzou football’s 2026 class.
On Tuesday, the Tigers received a verbal pledge from three-star offensive lineman Khalief Canty Jr., who announced his commitment in a video posted to X.
The rising senior from Cass Technical High School in Detroit chose Missouri over Michigan State and Pittsburgh. He also held offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and other Power Five programs.
Canty took an official visit to Missouri on Friday, exactly one week after visiting the in-state Spartans. Since 2023, he has visited 18 schools, both officially and unofficially, according to Rivals.
In 2025, Canty took three other visits besides his recent official visits to Missouri and Michigan State: unofficial visits to Michigan State and Penn State in March, and an official visit to North Carolina in April.
His commitment makes him the lone offensive lineman in Missouri’s 2026 recruiting class and the sixth overall pledge. He joins linebacker Keenan Harris, quarterback Gavin Sidwar, wide receiver Jabari Brady, tight end Isaac Jensen and running back Maxwell Warner.
Warner, a three-star running back from Chicago, committed to the Tigers on Monday.
Canty was a key piece in Cass Tech’s Division I Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship run, which culminated in a 42-20 win over Hudsonville in the title game. Cass Tech has produced several NFL players, including former defensive lineman Deone Walker, who went on to star at Kentucky and was selected in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft.
Former Mizzou lineman Yasir Durant signs with Patriots
Yasir Durant, an offensive lineman who played for Missouri from 2017 to 2019, signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
Durant last played in the NFL in 2023, when he was released by the Denver Broncos five days after signing. Over the past two years, he has suited up for the DC Defenders of the United Football League, who won the UFL championship earlier this month. Durant was named to the All-UFL team at offensive tackle.
After signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Durant played one season for the Patriots in 2021 after being traded by Kansas City that September. He’ll join fellow Missouri alum Marcus Bryant in New England.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Three-star offensive lineman Khalief Canty Jr. commits to Mizzou football."