As Darius Robinson took the stage at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit on Thursday night, he achieved a milestone that no Missouri player had accomplished in seven years. The former Missouri defensive end became the first Tiger to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Charles Harris in 2017.
Over the next two days, Missouri continued to make waves in the draft. Five of Robinson’s teammates were drafted by NFL teams, marking the most Missouri players selected since 2009. Three of them were picked in the top 100, a feat that has only occurred five times since 1970.
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This remarkable draft class further solidifies the momentum that Missouri football has gained, particularly after their impressive 11-2 season in 2023. The success of Missouri players in achieving their NFL dreams is sure to have a positive impact on recruiting for years to come.
Robinson, who arrived at Columbia in 2019, was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th pick. With the draft taking place in Robinson’s hometown of Detroit, he was able to share the special moment with his family and Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz by his side.
The following night, two more of Robinson’s teammates received life-changing calls. The Detroit Lions selected cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round, while the Green Bay Packers picked inside linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper in the third round. Both players expressed pride in leaving the Missouri program better than they found it.
According to offensive tackle Javon Foster, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round, Missouri’s reputation around the league is growing. Foster believes that the team has earned respect with their mindset and coaching approach.
Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, a three-star wide receiver recruit in Drinkwitz’s first recruiting class, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round. Safety J.C. Carlies, Abrams-Draine’s former teammate in the secondary, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round.
While some Missouri players declared for the draft but were not selected, several signed with teams as undrafted free agents. Among them are running back Cody Schrader, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, and kicker Harrison Mevis, who signed with the Carolina Panthers.
With 23 Missouri players now in the NFL, including six drafted players from the same school, the Tigers’ presence in the league is undeniable. This draft class is just the beginning of what Missouri is likely to achieve under Coach Drinkwitz’s leadership, as the NFL continues to take notice of the program’s success.
