Standout Mizzou Tigers picked back-to-back in 2026 NFL Draft. Where they’re headed

What a night for the Missouri Tigers football program — the Mizzou defense, in particular.

A pair of 2025 MU standouts, edge rusher Zion Young and linebacker Josiah Trotter, were selected back-to-back in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Young was taken by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 45 overall, Trotter by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 46.

Missouri also had a third-round selection, as defensive tackle Chris McClellan went No. 77 overall to the Green Bay Packers.

Young, who began his college career at Michigan State, earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2025 at Mizzou. He led the Tigers this past season with 42 total tackles, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.

This is from Young’s pre-draft scouting report by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

‘Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level. Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents.

“He extends and locks out as an edge-setter and sheds when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the power to bull rush or drive through edges, but lacks instincts and variety in his rush approach. His NFL pressure production will lag behind without better go-to moves and counters. Young’s physical tools and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run-stopping upgrade with average rush.”

Trotter, meanwhile, is regarded as an excellent defender against the run. He led Mizzou in tackles in 2025, with 84, and also had two sacks. He spent one season at Mizzou after playing at West Virginia, departing CoMo after his redshirt-sophomore year.

The son of four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, he is viewed as a physical and intelligent defender. In fact, he might be the top run-defending linebacker in this year’s draft class.

Said Zierlein on NFL.com in his pre-draft evaluation of Trotter:

“Ascending inside linebacker with NFL bloodlines and alpha energy. Trotter’s heavy hands allow him to fit and choke off gaps, but he’s inconsistent in doing so. Block collisions need to be balanced with efficient play-arounds to create more tackle tries. Pursuit speed to the flanks is average, but he is quick to cut and accelerate so he stays close to runs bouncing wide.

“He stacks backfield production with well-timed run blitzes and crafty rush work. Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man. Trotter’s wiring and disruptive qualities make him easy to project as a productive, long-time starter in the middle but a defense might need to protect him in coverage.”

This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:32 PM.