Set for Signing Day

The National Letters of Intent will begin to roll in early Wednesday morning. PowerMizzou.com sets the scene for Barry Odom's first class at Mizzou. With each committed recruit, we have included a breakdowns from PowerMizzou.com analyst Matt Hamilton.

Analysis: Baldwin is a versatile athlete that is expected to play linebacker at Mizzou, but excelled at running back and wideout as well in high school. He has excellent leg strength and is explosive off the ball. He has above average speed, good feet and change of direction, with average hips. He is a fierce competitor who racks up big hits and will make a major impact on special teams with his ability to block punts, get downfield in coverage, and punish ballcarriers. He displays excellent toughness, accelerating into contact and bullying ballcarriers, blockers, and opposing defenders when on offense. He played as a rush LB in a 3-4 scheme in high school, so there wasn't much film of him in coverage and he will need to adjust to mentally to a new role, but he has more than enough athleticism and the feet required to succeed as an OLB in Barry Odom's defense. I'd also like to see more tape of him taking on blocks. Overall, Baldwin is an exciting prospect because of his strength, mentality, and quick feet who will eventually make big contributions on defense and special teams at the next level.

Analysis: I found it very interesting that Mizzou would take kickers in back-to-back classes, especially this early in the process, but after watching McCann's boot kickoff after kickoff out of the endzone, hit 40 yard FGs over and over again with ease, and drill a 60-yarder, it was pretty clear why they did. It is important to remember that in high school, kickers are allowed to use blocks for their FGs, making it easier to get more distance on their kicks, but it is impressive nonetheless. He also has the ability to punt, although he needs some work there. Mizzou has been blessed with some great kickers over the past decade, but none with as big of a leg as McCann's. I think that's why the staff felt it couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab him, as unorthodox as it may seem after taking Fatoney in last year's class. Regardless of the reasoning, he can be a dangerous weapon for the Tigers when he gets to campus.

Analysis: Howell is a mammoth tackle prospect and a sound pass protector. He has good feet and lateral movement, especially given his size. Has good strength and long arms. Uses his hands very well, delivering devastating punches to the chests of opposing pass rushers. Has a solid base and good pass protecting technique. Is somewhat stiff in the hips and is not a natural bender. The results of this show up more in the run game, as he plays way to high and struggles to secure blocks on the second level. Once his man is blocked, he kind of just stops instead of seeking out other potential targets. Overall, I think Howell has a lot to work with and can be an incredible asset with refined technique in the run game. Most prospects I look at struggle in pass pro, so to see someone so technically sound and effective in the passing game at this stage is definitely worth taking note of.

Analysis: Acy is a long, dynamic, but raw safety prospect. He has excellent pursuit and closing speed and he is always seeking out a big hit, whether his opponent has the ball or not. He flies around the field with abandon and makes some huge plays as a result. That type of aggression and passion is remarkable and impossible to teach, but he will need to learn how to harness it at the college level as his desire to make big plays gets him out of position and contributed to a few hits that probably should have been flagged. He has good instincts, ball skills and takes excellent angles to the ballcarrier. Good hips, feet, and change of direction. He needs to continue to work on his technique in his backpedal, though. Has the long frame to add some serious weight, which is scary to think about when you see how naturally powerful he is without it. Overall, Acy has a number of unique traits that give him the potential to be a truly special player, but his success will hinge on ability to harness his aggression and his continued work on his technique. He is an exciting find for the Tigers as it has been awhile since they've had a safety this dynamic.

Analysis: The indications are that the coaching staff wants him at cornerback but he can play running back or receiver at the college level if needed as well. I think decision comes down to where the staff feels he has the most potential (as opposed to basing it on need), and from his tape Alton appears to have the greatest upside at corner.He has good speed, above average acceleration, and very good feet, hips, and change of direction. He plays the ball very well in the air and is incredibly physical all the way down the field. He has good hands and can lay some big hits as well. You can see from his tape at RB that he is not afraid of contact, he even seeks it out at times, and I think this will factor into his success in the secondary as well as I don't think you have to worry about his willingness to step up and make a tackle. His strength is clearly in one-on-one situations, I think he needs to work on reading and reacting to what's in front of him a bit better when in zone. The film offered a small sample size of him at CB, but pairing his traits from his RB tape to his CB tape make it clear why the staff sees such great potential in him at that spot. He can also contribute as a returner as well as he is dynamic with the ball in his hands, displaying good balance and elusiveness. If he indeed does end up at CB, Alton will need some refinement and need to adjust mentally to playing the position full time, but his ceiling is very high.

Analysis: Castillo played tackle in high school, but projects best as a guard at the next level. In the run game, he fires off the ball with tremendous force and his superb hand placement and ability to seal his blocks are advanced for a high school lineman. Is always cognizant of where his running back is going and even when he doesn't manhandle the man in front of him, does an excellent job of cutting him off and sealing his gap to ensure that he doesn't make the play. Above average as a puller and blocking in space. Runs well straight ahead, but has trouble turning the corner at times. Needs to stay low more consistently. His biggest area of concern and the reason he projects as a guard is his pass protection. He is a bit plodding and heavy footed and has limited lateral mobility. Once again, his hand placement is excellent and does a good job getting into the chest of opposing pass rushers, but he would struggle mightily against SEC speed rushers if he were to play tackle. With continued development of his footwork, however, there is no reason why he can't be a starting guard at the college level. He already has very good size, strength, and technique in the run game, he just needs to refine his ability to protect the passer.

Analysis: Collins is a downfield threat with good size, speed, and length. Displays exceptional concentration, making tough catches in traffic and some spectacular ones on deep balls and in the redzone. Has very good hands, but would like to see him expand his catch radius more though with his long frame. While he hauled in a few, doesn't seem confident reeling in throws outside the frame of his body. Not much of a YAC threat in the short passing game, Collins does his damage stretching the field and providing chunk plays. Would benefit greatly from technical instruction as his releases and route running can use improvement. Has above average feet, hips, and acceleration and should be able to improve in these areas. Overall, Collins will provide a downfield and red zone presence and has the traits to become a complete receiver with continued technical instruction.

Analysis: Crockett is an explosive and tough downhill runner with excellent speed and good balance. Displays above average vision and accelerates through contact. Plays bigger than his listed size. He has good strength, is difficult to bring down in the open field, and frequently utilizes a nasty stiff-arm. He has quick feet, but is a little stiff in the hips and lacks elite shiftiness and elusiveness as a result. More of a one-cut-and-go type runner. Not a great route runner out of the backfield, but does have good hands and will provide a reliable receiving option. Overall, Crockett may not break many ankles with his moves, but he is a home run threat on any given play with his explosive speed and acceleration and will pick up tough yards between the tackles with his excellent leg strength and balance. He's an every down back that can fit in any offense.

Analysis: Garrett is a tough, hard-hitting LB with good size and strength. He is explosive coming downhill and accelerates through contact. A sound fundamental tackler with good pursuit speed. Is a talented blitzer. He excels in the box, but appears uncomfortable playing in space. He has good acceleration and burst in close quarters, but his lack of top-end speed shows up when he has to cover a lot of ground. While there wasn't much film of him in coverage, this is where I would anticipate some struggles, as he has just average hips and change of direction. Needs to improve his leverage when taking on blockers. Overall, Garrett is a talented, run-stuffing inside backer that can contribute in pass rushing situations with his explosion off the ball. He may not be the guy you want dropping to the deep middle in Cover 2, but if utilized properly, he can have a huge impact in the Tigers' defense for years to come.

Analysis: The film of Holmes was as a wideout. He will play cornerback at Mizzou, but the tape gives an indication of the athleticism and tools he possesses. Holmes is fiercely competitive WR with good speed, good hands, and a wide catch radius. He high points the ball well on deep balls and is seemingly unaffected by traffic around him. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands as he has above average elusiveness and sets up defenders very well. Only average change of direction and lacks that second gear, despite having good overall speed. Is a willing blocker who will finish off unsuspecting CBs. He drastically needs to improve his route running, as he tends to just float into open space. Overall, Holmes has a lot of things he has to improve, but with his decent size, good speed, natural hands, and his impressive competitive nature, he will give Mizzou a lot to work with. Look for him to be a solid contributor and potential diamond in the rough in 3 or 4 years.

Analysis: Mason just committed to Missouri on Tuesday afternoon and has not yet been evaluated by Hamilton for PowerMizzou.com

Analysis: Okwuegbunam is a raw, but athletic TE prospect with a large catch radius. He is a red zone weapon with his length, hands, and above average leaping ability. Has above average speed and good hips. Is dangerous after the catch with surprising elusiveness for his size, excellent feet, and the ability to run through defenders. Is a willing and tough blocker, although he plays a little too high at times. He needs to develop his technique on his releases and route running, but he displays excellent quickness and change of direction; traits that should help him excel in those areas in the future with further instruction. He displays excellent strength for his relatively narrow frame, but will need to add some bulk as well. Overall, Okwuegbunam has the athleticism and traits to eventually make a major impact, but will need some time and to develop in order to reach his full potential.

Analysis: Scales had been committed to Alabama since the summer, but flipped to Missouri on Monday night. He will sign with the Tigers at 2 p.m. Wednesday. He has not yet been evaluated for PowerMizzou.com by Hamilton.

Analysis: Strong originally committed to Missouri as part of the 2015 class. He was not evaluated for PowerMizzou.com by Hamilton.

Analysis: If you were to work out players in shorts, Taylor might fly under the radar, but when you put the pads on, this kid is outstanding. Not going to be the biggest or fastest safety out there, but Taylor has the instincts and the intensity that make a great football player. Physical at the LOS, can jam receivers. A big hitter and excellent tackler, though he has shown the penchant for going for the big hit over wrapping up at times. His explosion to the football and ability to play the ball in the air are especially impressive. Takes pride in his physical play. Also a dynamic return man. The most pressing concern in his game is his 1-on-1 coverage ability. While he can jam at the line and can close as well as anyone, he struggles to read and react to receivers' cues on routes and can get himself out of position. I am not the biggest fan of making comparisons and putting these types of expectations on kids, but I can't help but see shades of former Tiger Pig Brown when I watched his tape.

Analysis: Terry played primarily LB his Junior year and DE his Senior year. He has a long frame with the potential to add a lot of weight and can play either at the next level, although I believe he has the most upside at DE. He is explosive off the ball and uses his long arms to shed blockers. Has good hips and speed, but needs to get stronger, especially in his lower body. Has above average instincts, but needs to take better angles in pursuit. Is a solid tackler and can lay some big hits over the middle when at LB. Can move around, play standing up, and/or with his hand in the ground, which will provide versatility to Coach Odom's defense. Obviously a lot will depend on scheme and how Coach Odom wants to use him, but with his speed and athleticism, I think he has the potential to be used similarly to how the Patriots use Jamie Collins (rushing from multiple positions and angles while also being able to drop into passing lanes and cover some TEs). Excels as a blitzer when at LB and has excellent playing speed and motor. Overall, whatever position he ends up playing, Terry's addition provides the Tigers with another explosive athlete on the defensive side of the ball and yet another dynamic pass rusher.

Analysis: Utsey is a run-stuffing DT prospect with good size and strength. Holds his ground well against double teams and does a good job coming off of blocks and making plays against the run when singled up. Has a strong base and good upper body strength. Can be even more effective with improved use of his hands and leverage. Lacks explosion off the ball, not a natural bender. Won't contribute much as a pass rusher. Overall, Utsey is a valuable player to have in the SEC because of his size, strength, and overall penchant for stopping the run, but will likely serve as a rotational d-lineman.

Analysis: Williams is a long and explosive DE with tremendous initial quickness. He has excellent bend and is a smooth and natural athlete. Has above average pursuit speed and a tremendous motor. A sound tackler who accelerates into contact.

Analysis: Wilson is an exciting QB prospect with some rare traits, but needs some refinement. He appears a little smaller than his listed 6'3, but despite his designation as a "pro-style" QB, Wilson possesses good athleticism. He ran a spread-style offense in high school and displayed above average arm strength and good accuracy. Can thread the ball into tight windows and displayed good patience and above average anticipation in the pocket. Has a bit of a gunslinger mentality and while it leads to some remarkable throws, he will need to learn what he can and can't get away with at the next level. Has an inconsistent release point at times. Ran a lot of bootlegs/roll-outs and displayed a tremendous ability to throw on the run. Throws an excellent deep ball in terms of placement and touch. Will hang in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield when under pressure. Not afraid to take a hit to make a throw. Goes through his progressions and will hold the ball longer to let plays develop and take a shot as opposed to dumping it off underneath just to rack up easy completions. Isn't overwhelmingly elusive, but has good speed and is a significant enough threat as a runner. Overall, I think Wilson needs to develop more consistent mechanics, especially when confined to the pocket, but through his tape it's clear that he has the right mentality for the position and will bring some big play ability.

There are now three prospects we're following throughout the day on National Signing Day. All have taken official visits to Missouri and have the Tigers in consideration. For these four, the analysis is not of their games, but of the recruiting situation and Missouri's chances.

Analysis: Byrd took all five official visits and was at Missouri last weekend. Colorado State, Minnesota, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech are the other finalists. Byrd is at the top of the Tigers' list at tailback and the chances are excellent. Georgia Tech would seem to be the biggest threat based on proximity to home.

Analysis: Jacobs visited Missouri on Friday/Saturday and was at Alabama Saturday/Sunday. Jacobs is still saying that he is wide open. Oklahoma was in the mix as a rush of schools came in late on Jacobs, but it seems to be the Tigers or the Tide. It could well come down to a choice between early playing time and a chance at a national title. There is also the possibility that Jacobs does not sign anywhere on Wednesday and continues to evaluate his options.

Analysis: Simms has gone back and forth between Missouri and Illinois a handful of times. The most recent statement was that he was a Tiger commit, but he will announce his final decision on Wednesday morning at East St. Louis High School. He will sign with either Mizzou or Illinois.

Missouri's 2016 commitment list

2016 Rivals.com Team Recruiting Rankings

Mizzou's Road to National Signing Day

Talk about the class on The Tigers' Lair, our premium message board

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Throughout the day, PowerMizzou.com will hold an all-day NSD chat on our premium message board. We will also have a running story on the front page which will be updated as signings occur and decisions are made. We will cover the relevant decisions as well as the Missouri coaches' press conference discussing the class. We will update this story throughout the day with relevant links to our coverage.