Stock rising: Zion Young and other top Mizzou prospects preparing for NFL Draft

The college football season has ended, but for several former Missouri standouts, the evaluation process is only beginning.

Four players who suited up for the Tigers last season are firmly on NFL radars as the draft process accelerates toward the NFL Scouting Combine later this month in Indianapolis. Defensive end Zion Young, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. and defensive tackle Chris McClellan helped their stock during last week’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Linebacker Josiah Trotter, though not a Senior Bowl participant because last season was only his junior year, remains one of Mizzou’s most promising draft prospects based on his tape alone.

Together, the quartet represents one of Missouri’s strongest NFL Draft groups in recent years, with momentum building toward the combine.

“I think they all kind of boosted their stock, especially the guys that were in Mobile,” Bleacher Report NFL Draft analyst Matt Holder said. “All three of them stood out in their own, different way.”

The combine begins Feb. 23, serving as the next checkpoint for players looking to validate their production, athletic traits and long-term projection. For MU’s group, last week provided traction, and now comes confirmation.

Zion Young, defensive end

Young entered the Senior Bowl with momentum and left with hardware.

The Missouri defensive end was named the American team’s player of the game after a week in which he consistently won one-on-one reps and flashed the blend of power and athleticism teams covet at edge rusher.

“With Zion, I’ve always thought his floor was more of a second-round pick,” Holder said. “But he maybe can sneak into the back of the first round with how well he played.”

Young measured roughly 6-foot-5, 262 pounds in Mobile, aligning closely with expectations and easing concerns about his frame and how it will translate to the next level. His ability to win with both speed and power stood out in a strong edge group. One particular strength was his long-arm rush, which allowed him to control offensive tackles early in reps.

The combine will offer Young another chance to separate himself, particularly in areas that help project his ability to win on the edge. Arm length will be a key measurement for teams, while drills that showcase flexibility and bend will help evaluators gauge how well he can corner at the top of the rush.

“One of his best moves is that long-arm, and the longer his arms are, the more effective that becomes,” Holder said. “The figure-eight drill is big for him. You want to see how tight he stays to the hoop and how well he can corner.”

If Young checks those boxes in Indianapolis, his rise could continue. At minimum, the Senior Bowl established him as one of the more complete edge prospects in this class.

Chris McClellan, defensive tackle

McClellan didn’t generate the same buzz as Young, but his week in Mobile may have altered how teams view his ceiling.

Entering the Senior Bowl, McClellan was often labeled as a two-down interior defender: reliable against the run, but limited as a pass rusher. By the end of the week, that narrative had shifted.

“I wasn’t as high on him going into the event, but he really stood out in both phases of the game,” Holder said. “The one-on-ones were big for him. I had questions about him as a pass rusher, and he answered some of those.”

McClellan showed improved pad level and balance during pass-rushing drills, helping him generate leverage against offensive linemen. While he won’t be mistaken for an explosive interior penetrator, his ability to hold his ground, recognize blocking schemes and stay technically sound caught evaluators’ attention.

“One thing that stood out is he doesn’t get caught off guard by different blocking schemes,” Holder said. “He seems ready for it and ready to take on blocks.”

That combination of awareness and physicality could push McClellan into a role as a rotational defensive tackle with three-down upside. His combine performance, particularly strength testing and positional drills, will help clarify how teams project him within their fronts.

Kevin Coleman Jr., wide receiver

Coleman’s Senior Bowl week was defined by separation.

The former Missouri slot receiver consistently created space during one-on-one drills, winning with quick releases, sharp routes and reliable hands.

“He showed he can be a good slot receiver in the NFL — shifty, quick and able to create separation,” Holder said.

One rep in particular stood out, as Coleman defeated Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, a player who entered the week with first-round buzz. For Coleman, moments like that helped address concerns surrounding his size, which has long been part of his evaluation.

At roughly 5-foot-10 and 174 pounds, Coleman doesn’t fit the mold of a prototypical outside receiver. But his route running and change-of-direction ability allow him to win early and often, traits that translate well to the slot at the next level.

The combine will be important for Coleman, especially in speed and agility testing. Strong numbers in the 40-yard dash and shuttle drills could reinforce his case as a mid-round option in a deep receiver class.

Josiah Trotter, linebacker

Trotter didn’t need a trip to Mobile to make his case.

Despite not participating in the Senior Bowl, the linebacker remains one of the more intriguing prospects thanks to a productive two-year run at West Virginia and Missouri.

“If Josiah was at the Senior Bowl, he would have been the top linebacker going into the event,” Holder said.

Trotter’s evaluation begins with his instincts and physicality. He plays downhill, diagnoses quickly and brings force on contact, qualities that consistently show up against the run. Holder described him as a “heat-seeking missile,” a player who wastes little time once he keys a play.

“He plays with his hair on fire,” Holder said. “As soon as he gets an indicator, he’s quick to come downhill and bring power.”

Questions remain about Trotter’s coverage ceiling and lateral range, areas that will be examined closely during combine drills and team interviews. Medical evaluations will also be part of the process after a knee injury earlier in his college career and a minor knee injury that held him out of the Gator Bowl this past season. Still, his tape suggests he’s an early-down linebacker capable of anchoring the middle of a defense.

A common thread

While their paths differ, Missouri’s four draft prospects share a defining trait: football intelligence.

“They all know what they’re doing,” Holder said. “They’re consistently in the right spot, and that speaks to Missouri’s program and how they develop guys.”

That trait has served them well through the early stages of the draft process. Now, with the combine approaching, each player has a chance to further solidify his standing.

Mobile provided momentum. Indianapolis will determine how far it carries.

Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Stock rising: Zion Young and other top Mizzou prospects preparing for NFL Draft."