COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel is one happy man. In a news conference on Wednesday, Pinkel admitted that he jumped out of his seat when he learned Dorial Green-Beckham chose the University of Missouri on National Signing Day.
Pinkel said “it was a great moment” when Green-Beckham put on a Missouri Tigers hat.
“When the No. 1 player in the United States of America puts on a Mizzou hat, we’re making strides,” Pinkel said.
Strides that come after Missouri announced in November 2011 that it would join the South Eastern Conference.
“I think we have a pretty good brand name,” Pinkel said of the SEC. “And a lot of kids want to play in the SEC, and I think it will enhance our recruiting.”
Missouri’s latest recruit, 6-foot-6, 220 pound Dorial Green-Beckham, is the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country. Although highly skilled, Pinkel said Green-Beckham still has some things to learn, including how the Missouri Tigers’ system works.
Green-Beckham currently attends Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Mo. He’s expected to join the Tigers in June for training.