Mizzou football’s receiving group remains intact with the return of Theo Wease Jr.

The 2024 NFL Draft in late April could have signaled a new chapter for Missouri football’s Theo Wease Jr. After a first season in Columbia where Wease scored six touchdowns for the Tigers, he could have moved on to the professional level. Instead, Wease will be back at MU this fall as the Tigers look to build off last season’s Cotton Bowl victory.

“It wasn’t really that hard (of a decision) because of the relationships that I made since I’ve been here,” Wease said.

Before arriving at MU before the start of the 2023 season, Wease spent the previous three seasons at the University of Oklahoma. In his time with the Sooners, he only exceeded 400 yards once and never caught more than four touchdowns in a single season. In year one with the Tigers, he racked up 682 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite last season’s success, however, Wease is looking to reach new heights in 2024, both individually and as a team.

“You know last year is last year. You can’t win no games based on what we did last year,” Wease said.

In addition to working toward taking a step forward on the field, the senior wideout is looking to make strides in the locker room as well.

“Just being more vocal, trying to take that next step just to, you know, keep the room, keep the receiver room, and the whole offense, to keep improving,” Wease said.

Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore arrived in Columbia last season as well, and he was glad to hear that one of his top weapons will be back for another season.

“Just super excited, was pumped when I heard the news that he was coming back,” Moore said.

Wease was just a part of a passing attack that ranked sixth in the SEC in 2023 with 262.3 yards per game through the air. It’s a group of pass catchers that is hungry to improve.

“This group, they welcome it. They want to know what they can get better at,” wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler said. “I’m pretty vocal, I would say, at practice, and these guys, they invite it, they want it, they want to be the best version of themselves.”

WATCH: After a strong 2023 season for #Mizzou's Wide Receivers, one thing Coach Jacob Peeler said they're working on for 2024 is yards after the catch.

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— Ben Schmidt (@ben_schmidt_) March 12, 2024

For a Missouri football team aiming for a potential College Football Playoff berth in the 2024 season, Wease is expected to play a significant role in their potential success.

Wease and the Tigers will kick off their season on Aug. 29 at Faurot Field against Murray State.