What we learned about Mizzou football’s incoming transfers at NFL Scouting Combine

The Mizzou football team will look much different for the 2026 season.

The Tigers have 28 incoming transfers, with 13 playing on offense, 13 playing on defense and two playing on special teams.

At the recently 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the Missourian talked to many former teammates of incoming Mizzou transfers to gain insight on what the Tigers can expect out of their new additions.

Here's what the Missourian was able to gather from this past week in Indianapolis.

On offensive lineman Josh Atkins

Former Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott: "Mizzou's gonna get one of the hardest workers I know. A guy that went into Arizona State with a chip on his shoulder. I actually played Josh when he was at Hawaii when I was at New Mexico State. It's pretty cool. (He) brings an unbelievable work ethic to the room."

Former Arizona State offensive tackle Max Ihenacor: "He's a hard worker. Very physical guy. I'm really excited to see him go out there and compete at the SEC level. I know he can do it. He's a confident guy."

On cornerback Elijah Dotson

Former Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder: "Great player. A lot of energy. Great dude to talk to. Great football player."

"He's a dog. He's a playmaker. He's a competitor. I think he's gonna do really well."

Former Michigan wide receiver Donaven McCulley: "(He's) a great young guy. He's real fiery. … I think he's coming along really well. Elijah Dotson, he's gonna be a real good player."

On edge rusher Malik Bryant

Former Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe: "He's amazing. I feel like he's technical, he's fast off the edge. He has a crazy bend."

On former UM defensive lineman Donta Simpson Jr. and linebacker Bobby Washington Jr.: "Great football players. I'm excited to see what they do at Missouri … I know once they get their chance, they're gonna perform well."

On edge rusher Jaden Jones

Former Florida State edge rusher Darrell Jackson Jr.: "Jaden brings enthusiasm, leadership and work ethic."

"He's a speed guy."

On cornerback Chris Graves Jr.

Former Ole Miss defensive tackle Xzavian Harris: "He's somebody that's dedicated to playing football, somebody that's willing to work. He can strap guys up. He's one of the best ones we had."

Former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling: "He's an aggressive player. He knows his traits very well. He knows how to use his body. He goes out there and competes at a high level."

Former Ole Miss wide receiver Harrison Wallace III: "He's a talented player. He's been playing for a long time. Long player. He has advantages with his length. He's a great DB. He's going to do a great job at Missouri."

On quarterback Austin Simmons

Harris: "He's accurate. He knows how to play football. He's just young, needs some experience."

Stribling: "He's a very smart quarterback. He throws the ball very well. He has a great ball … I think that, (with) all of those things combined, he's going to be a great quarterback in the future."

Wallace III: "He has a rocket arm. He gets that from baseball. But he's also a smart player. He's already graduated at such a young age, and he's just one of those guys that you know what you're gonna get from him every day."

Former Ole Miss offensive tackle Diego Pounds: "He's a great quarterback. You could just see it. He's smart. He's quick. He's got an arm. So I feel like him being in Missouri, he's going to be a good quarterback, for sure."

On wide receiver Cayden Lee

Stribling: "He's very smart. He knows how to fill out zones. Knows how to get open a lot."

Wallace III: "He's a small, speedy guy. He can take the top off the defense. He'll get in there, throw his head in there if he needs to lock. He'll also go in there and make the tough catches."

Pounds: "He's smart. He's consistent. You know what you're going to get from him … (Him and Simmons) are best friends also, so that's going to be a great connection."

On linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr.

Former Auburn linebacker Keyron Crawford: "Robert's a dog. He's gonna communicate. Very sound technically. He plays physical. Mizzou got a good one."

Former Auburn linebacker Bobby Jamison-Travis: "He was hungry … Whatever Rob wants, he's gonna go get it. Hard-working man, dedicated. He really wanted to push himself to get to the next level."

"He really improved a lot throughout the years. … Over the years, we improved because we were hungry. We didn't want to sit on the bench."

On both Woodyard and former AU safety Kensley Louidor-Faustin: "Both of them are aggressive. They come from (defensive coordinator DJ) Durkin's defense. In coach Durkin's defense, you've got to be aggressive, or you won't play."

Former Auburn offensive lineman Dillon Wade: "Robert is a hard worker. He's going to give 100% every single time he steps onto the field. I wish he would've stayed at Auburn, but Mizzou just got a great player."

Former Auburn offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright: "Me and Rob used to always hang out. I just enjoyed the bond me and have have created during our time at Auburn. I just look at his process. He came in wanting to play (as a freshman). His journey, it was rough.

“Everybody wants to come in as a freshman and play. Him being on the scout team … me and him had a talk. He did want to transfer out early, but I told him to just be where your feet are, keep working hard and God is gonna bless you and reward you. Just go out there and dominate. Keep putting in the hard work off the field, God's gonna bless you and reward you. Coaches are going to see all your hard work when it's time to go out there and practice, and Rob took advantage of the opportunity when it came, and he's doing good now."

"As a person, he's a funny guy. He's a chill, laid-back guy. He's not gonna say too much when you get around him. He's kind of shy."

On safety Kensley Louidor-Faustin

Wade: "I watched him develop since he got there his freshman year, and I think he's gotten better every single year he's been there."

Wright: "Lil' Kensley, he's a funny guy, too. He's quiet, don't really say too much. When he came in, I was like ‘Man, you got to open up and say something to me. We can go out to dinner, eat, do something'. Even in the weight room, I'd try to bring something competitive out of those guys (Louidor-Faustin and Woodyard)."

On cornerback Jahlil Florence

Former Oregon cornerback Jadon Canaday: "Jahlil is hungry. I think it's been two years since he's played. He's angry, but not in a bad way. … He had a good stint there. He's a player capable of playing, and I think he'll show that at Missouri."

Former Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson: "You can expect a hard worker and a dog."

On cornerback Sione Laulea

Canaday: "Sione hasn't played a lot at Oregon, but the kid is 6-foot-4. He has the height, has the weight, has all the intangibles. I think he'll put it together."

Benson: "Great personality. That's my guy right there. He was one of the guys that welcomed me into Oregon. I've got a lot of love for him. He's just a hard worker, and he's just a fun dude."

"He just always has a smile on his face. He likes to dance and things like that. Having a guy like that in your locker room, it creates a good space in that locker room."

On wide receiver Caleb Goodie

Former Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer: "That dude can go. He's a 23 to 24-mile-per-hour runner. He can take the top off of defenses. But he's not just accustomed to running deep routes. He's got a great route tree. Runs any route well. I think Missouri got a great receiver. I'm excited for him."

"When you got a guy that can run that fast, take the top off of defenses, sometimes, you've got to have extra safety help. That can potentially open up the middle of the field or other zones and other spots for receivers."

Former Cincinnati wide receiver Jeff Caldwell: "You're gonna get a guy that can probably run a 4.1 (in the 40-yard dash), a guy who can make plays. (He's a) dynamic playmaker down the field. I feel like you're going to see him here (the Combine) next year."

On wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery

Former Florida cornerback Devin Moore: "He's a good receiver, for sure. He's a workaholic. Any time I was up there in the facility, I've seen him every time. He's catching jugs, (he's) in the weight room going hard. They're gonna get a great worker, and he's a technician when he runs his routes."

"He's really a jack-of-all-trades. He's got some speed to him, some quickness, good change-of-direction skills, can snap it down when he runs his routes. He's not afraid to get dirty and block."

Former Florida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant: "He's a great guy. He's a ballplayer. He's very energetic, and he's going to bring his best every day, so I'm excited for my guy."

"He's a jump-ball specialist. He can run every route in the book. He got great hands. He practiced with no gloves. He played with no gloves, so being able to be around a guy like that is amazing."

"It kind of ruins the drip a little bit, but he's got the hands. I never saw him drop a ball."

On quarterback Nick Evers

Former UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano: "They're gonna get a great person, that's for sure. I was with him for two years, kind of in a QB battle, things going back and forth. That never hurt our relationship, so that speaks volumes to both me and him … He's a competitor, and they're going to get somebody that is going to work hard and show up in the building. He's going to make an impact right away, whether that's starting or if he's competing and pushing the guy in front of him."

"I was his backup two years ago, and then he was my backup this past year, and you could tell it didn't change his mindset. He was ready to go at all times, and that's something you want on your team. You need somebody that's gonna be that backup, but can still be a leader with guys. I can't throw 500 footballs at practice. I need another quarterback that's gonna come out and get extra throws and get these receivers right, and that's exactly what me and him both did. He's a great asset to any team."

Former UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell: "You're gonna get a great competitor. He's gonna come at it every day, ready to work. I'm glad he's getting the opportunity there. I think he's gonna do a great job there. You're gonna get a guy with a rocket arm, he can run, he can make good decisions."

Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 2:24 PM with the headline "What we learned about Mizzou football’s incoming transfers at NFL Scouting Combine."