Mizzou Made: Where Are They Now?

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After graduation and the NFL, members of the Mizzou Football Family spread out across the country to take the next step in their careers. Find out what these Mizzou Made student-athletes are up to now:

 

Jaron Baston: Defensive lineman from 2005-2009

He played in the NFL for one season with the Detroit Lions following his Mizzou career. Today, he is the CEO of Top Flite Management Group.

 

John Birdwell: Offensive lineman from 2008-2011

He is a financial management trainee at Graybar in Orange County, Calif.

 

Steven Blair: Defensive lineman from 2004-2007

He is in the United State Navy, based in Rota, Spain.

 

Quinn Brown: Offensive lineman from 2008-2011

He is an offensive graduate assistant for Wyoming Cowboy football.

 

Tony Buhr: Safety from 2007-2010

He is the travel director at Maritz Travel Company in St. Louis, Mo.

 

Jimmy Burge: Defensive lineman from 2009-2012

He is an independent Petroleum Landman in Houston, Texas.

 

Travis Cardoza: Safety from 2004-2007

He is an engineer at Boeing Company in Philadelphia, Pa.

 

Brock Christopher: Linebacker from 2005-2008

He works at Forest Pharmaceuticals as a pharmaceutical rep in Columbia, Mo.

 

Brandon Coleman: Quarterback from 2002-2006

He is the offensive coordinator and QB coach at Central High School in Springfield, Mo.

 

Bart Coslet: Defensive lineman from 2006-2010

He is the owner and partner of H&C Copper Plus in St. Charles, Mo.

 

Joel Clinger: Offensive lineman from 2002-2006

He is the owner, operator and keeper at Big Joel’s Safari Petting Zoo and Educational Park in Wright City, Mo.

 

Adam Crossett: Kicker from 2003-2007

He was a member of the Indianapolis Colts in 2008. Today, he is the lead financial analyst at AT&T in Dallas, Texas.

 

Chase Daniel: Quarterback from 2005-2008

He has played for three NFL teams and is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. He is also the owner of 10 Star Apparel, a custom-apparel manufacturing company, based in Dallas, Texas.

 

Matt Davis: Running back from 2007-2010

He is a biomedical engineer at Cerner Corporation in Columbia, Mo.

 

Brendan Donaldson: Defensive lineman from 2007-2010

He does white glove storage and delivering in San Marcos, Texas.

 

Brad Ekwerekwu: Wide receiver from 2003-2006

He is a career talent advisor at Avenue Scholars Foundation in Omaha, Neb.

 

Atiyyah Ellison: Defensive lineman from 2002-2004

He is an assistant football coach and the freshman boy’s basketball coach at Battle High School in Columbia, Mo.

 

Elvis Fisher: Offensive lineman from 2007-2012

He was a member of the New England Patriots in 2013. Today, he works at Whiskey Wild Saloon in Columbia, Mo.

 

Will Franklin: Wide receiver from 2004-2007

He is a basketball coach at Madison Prep in St. Louis, Mo.

 

Brandon Gerau: Wide receiver from 2007-2011

He works at Landmark Bank in Columbia, Mo.

 

Jeff Gettys: Linebacker from 2007-2010

He is the assistant director of operations at the office of the governor in Jefferson City, Mo.

 

Matt Grabner: Punter from 2009-2010

He is a sales representative at Anheuser-Busch in Alton, Ill.

 

Kurtis Gregory: Offensive Lineman from 2005-2009

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Kurtis owns a farm in Marshall, Mo.

 

Dedrick Harrington: Linebacker from 2002-2006

He is a personal lines underwriter at State Farm in Tempe, Ariz.

 

Jake Harry: Punter from 2007-2008

He is a sales executive at NANA Management Services in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

Andy Hille: Offensive Lineman from 2004-2005

He is a brewer at Perennial Artisan Ales in St. Louis, Mo.

 

Trey Hobson: Defensive back from 2007-2011

He is a life insurance agent at Primera Inc. in Kansas City, Mo.

 

Matt Hoenes: Punter from 2004-2006

He is an associate at Lenox Advisors in Chicago, Ill.

 

Andrew Hoskins: Wide receiver from 2002-2006

He is a professional DJ at KC Sound Design and a math teacher at Liberty Public Schools.

 

Kenji Jackson: Safety from 2008-2011

He is a defensive graduate assistant for Northwestern Football.

 

Andrew Jones: Tight end from 2008-2011

He is the senior mortgage loan officer at North American Savings Bank.

 

Wes Kemp: Wide receiver from 2008-2011

Today, he is a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual in St. Louis, Mo.

 

Kirk Lakebrink: Offensive lineman from 2008-2010

He is the marketing manager and art director at Blaine Labs in Kansas City, Mo.

 

Luke Lambert: Linebacker from 2007-2011

He is a credit analyst at Landmark Bank in Columbia, Mo.

 

Tyler Luellen: Offensive lineman 2003-2007

He was a member of the San Diego Chargers in 2008 and played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League from 2009-2012. Today, he is an associate sales representative at Veran Medical Technologies in St. Louis, Mo.

 

Gahn McGaffie: Wide receiver from 2008-2012

He is an entrepreneur in Kansas City, Mo.

 

Jack Meiners: Offensive lineman from 2009-2012

He is a financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch in Clayton, Mo.

 

De’Vion Moore: Running back from 2007-2011

He is a learning specialist for Columbia Public Schools and a football coach at Hickman High School.

 

Marvin Norman: Offensive lineman from 2007-2011

He is the manager at a McDonalds in Columbia, Mo.

 

Jayson Palmgren: Offensive lineman from 2007-2011

He works for North Kansas City School.

 

Louis Pintola: Offensive lineman from 2005-2006

He is the general manager at Rubio’s (a Mexican restaurant) in Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Joe Plevel: Wide receiver from 2008-2012

He is a sales representative at Pic 1 Medical in Columbia, Mo.

 

Munir Prince: Defensive back from 2008-2010

After double majoring in Business Management and receiving a Master’s Degree in Financial Planning at the University of Missouri, he is now Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach at Drake University.

 

Tony Randolph: Linebacker

He is the assistant strength and conditioning coach for Ole Miss Football.

 

Jason Ray: Wide receiver from 2003-2007

He is the wide receivers coach at Oklahoma State University.

 

Grant Ressel: Kicker from 2007-2011

He is currently attending dental school at the University of Missouri (Kansas City).

 

Martin Rucker: Tight end for Mizzou from 2003-2007

Since playing at Mizzou, he has developed “Body by Ruc,” a one-month boot camp based in Overland Park, Kan. Before “Body By Ruc,” Rucker played for the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and then the Jacksonville Jaguars before he was placed on the injured list during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Tommy Saunders: Wide receiver from 2004-2008

He is the creator of the Rock 360, an ab-workout device, and owner of FEWDM Fitness.

 

Forrest Shock: Wide receiver from 2007-2010

He is the vice president at Huntleigh McGehee in Clayton, Mo.

 

Paul Simpson: Cornerback from 2006-2007

He is a public safety professional Stockton, Calif.

 

Brian Smith: Defensive end from 2002-2006

He was a fourth-round selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars and was a member of the team until 2008. He is currently a banquet server and bartender at Norwood Hills Country Club in Saint Louis, Mo.

 

Corey Sudhoff: Defensive lineman

He is a teacher and freshman football assistant coach at Blue Springs South.

 

Chris Tipton: Offensive lineman from 2004-2007

He is a Flight Medic in Hannibal, Mo.

 

Lorenzo Williams: Defensive lineman from 2003-2007

Williams played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and the Carolina Panthers from 2008-2009. Today, he is the head football coach at Central High School in Springfield, Mo.

 

Marcus Woods: Running back from 2003-2007

He is the assistant branch manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Kansas City, Mo.

 

Monte Wyrick: Offensive lineman from 2003-2007

He works in computer software and FedEx Express in Columbia, Mo.

Mizzou Ranks in NCAA’s APR Top Ten for Second Straight Year

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Fresh off of an SEC Conference Division Title and 12-2 record—tied for the best record in the Coach Pinkel era—the Mizzou Football Family was ranked in the top 10 percent for Academic Progress Rate (APR) by the NCAA for the second year running, proving they mean business in the classroom as well. 

Mizzou is the only program in the SEC to earn this prestigious honor for the past two years, and one of only two SEC teams to rank this year. Pinkel’s tenure has been a symbol of academic prowess, as Mizzou has ranked at or near the top of these rankings for the majority of his tenure. 

Almost every player—97 percent to be exact—under Coach Gary Pinkel’s guidance has earned a degree from the university, or are on pace to do so this summer. Eleven seniors will play the upcoming season under the title of “college graduate.” Players listed below will graduate this month. (Find full commencement details here.)

The NCAA introduced the APR ten years ago to track the academic development and growth of the schools under its jurisdiction. The last four years for each institution make up the multi-year average for the most recent APR report, and schools are given points when their student-athletes graduate or maintain academic eligibility and return to the school the next semester.

Mizzou’s Total Person Program assists players in their studies with a complete collection of tutorial and life skills services. This program offers Mizzou’s student-athletes personalized assistance to cater to each individual’s unique academic needs and objectives.

Pinkel was very proud of the young men he’s coached, as he knows that succeeding on the football field means very little if you don’t do the same off the field as well.

“Certainly we’re very pleased about the recognition, it’s the standard that we expect at Mizzou,”he said. “When I talk to parents during the recruiting process, I look them in the eye and tell them that we’re going to help their son grow on and off the field, and that includes having him leave with his degree from Mizzou.”

Pinkel also praised Mizzou’s educational staff, by far one of the most critical components of high achievement in the classroom. 

Mizzou Lands 26 on SEC Honor Roll

Several Mizzou players were honored by the Southeastern Conference on the academic end of their student-athlete responsibilities.

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The following players were named to the SEC Honor Roll, and are listed with their major:

Michael Brennan – Business Administration

Christian Brinser – Middle School Education

Justin Britt – General Studies

Brayden Burnett – Educational & Counseling Psychology

Taylor Chappell – Health Science

Sean Culkin – Business

Tyler Davis – Mechanical Engineering

Clayton Echard -Health Science

Marvin Foster – Health Administration

Michael Godas – Sports Management

Matthew Hoch – Middle School Education

Tanner Hull – Nutritional Sciences

Jacob Hurrell Football Business

Wesley Leftwich – Nutrition

Marcus Lucas – Business Marketing

Connor McGovern – Agriculture Economics

Nicolas Monaghan – Educational Studies

Mitch Morse – Hospitality Management

Blake Owens – Health Science

Michael Scherer – Business

Andrew Stevens – Psychology

Morgan Steward – Communications

Gregory White – Health Science

Matthew White – Industrial Engineering

Christian Williams – Mechanical Engineering

Jordan Williams – Accountancy

Grad 2

To be eligible for inclusion in the SEC Honor Roll, you must be a scholarship athlete who maintains a 3.0 GPA. You can also be a non-scholarship player, but you must be a member of the team for at least two seasons before you can be nominated. You must also be a member of the team for the entire season.

Mizzou DE Michael Sam is Unanimous All-America Selection

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Tiger defensive end just the second unanimous All-American in school history

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football senior defensive end Michael Sam (Hitchcock, Texas) has been honored by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) as a First Team All-American, completing a run of five First Team All-America honors to become just the second unanimous All-America selection in school history. According to NCAA record books, Sam joins Mizzou all-time great Danny LaRose, who starred for the Tigers from 1958-60 and earned unanimous All-America recognition in 1960.

Fellow senior cornerback E.J. Gaines (Independence, Mo.) earned Second Team All-America from the FWAA after a standout final season in the Black & Gold. Gaines leads the Tigers with his four interceptions and ranks third on the team with 68 tackles. A First Team All-SEC selection, Gaines’ four pickoffs ranks tied for fourth in the league.

Along with the FWAA honor, Sam picked up major All-America selections from the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Thursday, Dec. 12, Sporting News on Friday, Dec. 13, Associated Press on Dec. 17, and America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Wednesday, Dec. 18. This comes after Sam earned the AP’s Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year award and was a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.

The 33rd First Team All-American in Mizzou Football history and seventh under head coach Gary Pinkel, Sam heads into the Tigers’ final game of the 2013 season, the 78th Annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, leading the SEC in both quarterback sacks (10.5) and tackles-for-loss (18.0). He ranks in the Top 10 nationally in both of those categories.

No. 8 Mizzou kicks off the Cotton Bowl against No. 13 Oklahoma State on Friday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m., televised nationally by FOX.

Mizzou DE Michael Sam’s 2013 Postseason Honors

Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Semifinalist

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist

Rotary Lombardi Award Finalist

Hendricks Award Finalist

AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year

AP First Team All-SEC

Coaches First Team All-SEC

USA Today First Team All-America

Walter Camp First Team All-America *

Sporting News All-America *

Sporting News All-SEC

Athlon First Team All-America

Athlon First Team All-SEC

ESPN.com All-SEC

ESPN.com All-America

Senior Bowl Invitee

CBSSports.com First Team All-America

SportsIllustrated.com First Team All-America

AP First Team All-America *

AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America *

FWAA First Team All-America *

*Unanimous All-America

Mizzou’s Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans

1941: Darold Jenkins, C

1960: Danny LaRose, E *

1965: Johnny Roland, DB

1968: Roger Wehrli, DB

1978: Kellen Winslow, TE

1986: John Clay, OL

1999: Rob Riti, C

2007: Jeremy Maclin, AP; Martin Rucker, TE

2008: Chase Coffman, TE; Jeremy Maclin, KR/AP

2010: Michael Egnew, TE

2013: Michael Sam, DE *

*Unanimous All-America

#MizzouMade: 2013 December Graduation

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The Mizzou football team proved once again that its athletes truly are student athletes, as 12 players walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at this weekend’s December graduation ceremony.

Mizzou had an Academic Progress Rate of 982 in 2013—the best in the SEC.  In addition to the football team’s exemplary score, the university earned the NCAA Public Recognition Award for finishing in the top-10 percentile in the country in academics among all of its sports.

Mizzou’s Matt Hoch Earns Academic All-America

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Hoch

Tiger defensive lineman earns Capital One Second Team Academic All-America recognition

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football junior defensive lineman Matt Hoch (Harlan, Iowa) has been recognized to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A second team honoree, Hoch has compiled an outstanding 3.96 GPA in the middle school education major, all while starting 22 games in the trenches for Mizzou over the last two seasons.

Hoch has recorded 35 tackles, including 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks, in 10 starts on the Tigers’ defensive line in 2013, already setting a season-best in sacks. He was a 2012 CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District honoree last season.

Conference academic recognition also has not escaped Hoch, as he earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2012. He was a 2011 Academic All-Big 12 honoree previously.

Hoch and No. 5 Mizzou next play in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game vs. No. 3 Auburn inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Kickoff for the nationally-televised game is set for 3 p.m. CT on CBS.

Coach Pinkel Welcomes Freshmen to Mizzou

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We’ve covered in the past how Mizzou Football makes great accommodations to make sure their freshman are adjusting to college life as comfortably as possible. However, Coach Pinkel doesn’t stop at just the football players. Coach was part of a giant pep rally including cheerleaders, Golden Girls, food and Truman the Tiger to welcome the new class of freshmen to Mizzou. Catch the video of the pep rally and Coach’s words to the new freshmen.

NCAA President Mark Emmert Commends Coach Pinkel’s Program on Academic Success

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Our main priority on the Mizzou Football Team is to develop our student-athletes into “whole men” and focus especially hard on prioritizing constant dedication to academic excellence. News of our academic success came recently in wake of the NCAA’s recent APR scores. When we meet our goals and live up to our high academic standards, it’s always nice to be recognized. You can view the letter that NCAA President Mark Emmert sent congratulating our team below.

Mark-Emmert-Letter-to-Gary-Pinkel

We will continue to strive for academic excellence as we maintain our position as a promoter and leader of academics in the Southeastern Conference. We will work and focus on school, just as we work and focus to improve on the field and overall as young men.