Which Missouri football prospects could go in 2026 NFL Draft? An early lookahead (2025)

Mizzou’s 2025 NFL class looks to be settled.

Three Missouri football players heard their name called in the 2025 NFL Draft between Thursday and Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Right tackle Armand Membou went to the New York Jets as the No. 7-overall pick, wide receiver Luther Burden III was snapped up by the Chicago Bears in the second round at No. 39 overall and left tackle Marcus Bryant was a seventh-round selection by the New England Patriots.

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At least seven more Mizzou players were snapped up as undrafted free agents or received minicamp invites.

Quarterback Brady Cook is joining Membou and the Jets. Two Tigers are headed to the Miami Dolphins, who signed wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. and running back Nate Noel. The Denver Broncos picked up a pair of MU defensive linemen, with edge rusher Johnny Walker Jr. and tackle Kristian Williams headed to the Mile High City.

Right guard Cam’Ron Johnson and long snapper Trey Flint received minicamp invites with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.

More: NFL undrafted free agent tracker: Who will sign Missouri football standouts?

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But what about a year from now?

The Tigers’ record for players drafted in a single class is seven in 1981. Could that record be broken next season?

It’s early, sure, but here are the Tigers’ top draft prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft:

Cayden Green, left guard

Some way-too-early mock drafts have Mizzou left guard Cayden Green as a first-round prospect in next year’s draft, which would mean the Tigers —and Lee’s Summit North High near Kansas City — would send offensive linemen to the league as first-rounders in back-to-back years. Membou and Green were teammates in high school and college.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has Green at No. 29 overall to the Chiefs in his 2026 mock draft. Green, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior, would need to declare for the draft early to be taken next year.

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If the Tigers do send a player to the league in the first round next year, it would be just the second time MU has done so in three straight seasons (2009-11).

Connor Tollison, center

The Jackson, Missouri, native is expected to return from a late-season injury in 2024 and start at center for Mizzou for the fourth straight season. At 6-4, 295 pounds, Tollison likely projects as a Day 2 or 3 selection, so it seems possible that the Tigers send two or more offensive linemen as draft picks in back-to-back seasons.

Daylan Carnell, safety

At 6-2, 215, Carnell has the size and length to be a productive NFL safety. He’s been a mainstay at the ‘Star’ safety position for Mizzou for the past three seasons, appearing in 43 total games with four interceptions, 24 passes defended, three sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. His strength is in his versatility, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him shoot up draft boards over the next year.

Brett Norfleet, tight end

Norfleet will need to get healthy and improve on his 2024 production for this to transpire, but at 6-6, 260 pounds and with proven ability as a pass-catcher, it’s worth considering Norfleet may declare for the draft after his junior season. The O’Fallon, Missouri, native has caught 44 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns in his MU career.

Kevin Coleman Jr., wide receiver

A lot will depend on how Coleman fares in his single season with the Tigers after transferring in from Mississippi State. But, the St. Louis native and third-team All-SEC player will have a prime opportunity to put up some big numbers operating out of the slot and as the most experienced player in Mizzou’s pass-catching corps.

Damon Wilson II, defensive end

Wilson hasn’t played a snap for Mizzou yet, but one of the top-ranked transfers of this past offseason comes with a high ceiling. He is currently the No. 13-ranked edge rusher on NFL Mock Draft Database’s 2026 big board. The 6-4, 245 junior has been ranked as high as No. 42 overall.

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Next season will be Wilson’s junior year of college, after spending the past two years at Georgia. Depending how this year goes, Wilson could be a one-and-done in CoMo.

Jalen Catalon, safety

Catalon, a third-team All-American with UNLV last season, has an opportunity to be a major presence in Mizzou’s secondary next season. He has heaps of college experience, as this will be his seventh year in the sport. He picked off five passes for the Rebels last season. With a productive season back in the SEC, Catalon ought to appear on big boards.

Zion Young, defensive end

Young was a tremendous addition to the Mizzou defense last season, registering 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery that he returned for a late touchdown to, of course, seal a comeback win over Oklahoma in November. The 6-5, 260-pound edge rusher has the prototype build for an NFL defensive end.

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More: Meet Zion Young, Missouri football’s ‘relentless’ scoop-and-score Oklahoma hero

Chris McClellan, defensive tackle

More: Meet 'massive' Chris McClellan, Missouri football's potentially pivotal new defensive tackle

McClellan, at 6-4, 320, has the physical profile to be an NFL defensive tackle. After a solid first season in Columbia in 2024 after transferring in from Florida, the expectation is that he takes another step forward in his senior season and leads the Tigers from the interior. McClellan had 2.5 sacks as part of 5.5 tackles for loss last season.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Which Missouri football prospects could go in 2026 NFL Draft?