National Bombshell: CBS Says Missouri Has One of the “Most-Improved” Rosters in All of College Football! Are the Tigers Quietly Building a CFP Contender in 2025

In a stunning revelation that’s turning heads across the college football landscape, CBS Sports has declared the Missouri Tigers as one of the “most-improved” teams in the nation heading into the 2025 season. Once considered a middle-of-the-pack SEC program, Missouri is now drawing national attention for its roster development, recruiting momentum, and quietly brewing College Football Playoff (CFP) ambitions.

This bombshell assessment didn’t come out of nowhere. Under the guidance of head coach Eli Drinkwitz, the Tigers have been steadily stacking talent and gaining credibility, not just in the SEC East but across the nation. Now, it seems the rest of the college football world is beginning to take notice.

From Underdog to Contender?

CBS Sports’ analysis cited Missouri’s robust recruiting class, key transfer portal additions, and overall roster maturation as the primary reasons for the team’s leap forward. The 2024 season showcased flashes of brilliance — a 9-win campaign highlighted by major upsets and gritty performances — but 2025 is shaping up to be something more substantial.

Missouri’s 2025 recruiting class ranked in the top 15 nationally, the highest since the Gary Pinkel era, and includes several blue-chip prospects who could make immediate impacts. Add to that a top-10 transfer portal haul, including standout names from Power Five programs, and it’s easy to see why CBS believes Missouri has drastically improved its roster depth and overall talent.

“We’re seeing a team that’s not just adding talent — they’re building a culture, and that’s often the precursor to a breakthrough,” noted CBS analyst Barrett Sallee. “Missouri might be flying under the radar now, but don’t be surprised if they’re in the playoff conversation come November.”

Key Additions Fuel Hype

Among the most significant new faces is five-star wide receiver Marcus Bell from Texas, a speedster who turned down offers from Alabama and Georgia. He’ll join returning quarterback Brady Cook, who quietly posted a top-three passer rating in the SEC last season, forming what could be one of the conference’s most explosive QB-WR duos.

On the defensive side, Missouri added linebacker Malik Jefferson (a former Ohio State starter) and cornerback A.J. Scott from Oregon, both of whom are expected to step in as leaders immediately. Combined with returning stars like defensive tackle Darius Robinson and safety Joseph Charleston, the Tigers now boast a defensive unit with SEC toughness and Big Ten-caliber athleticism.

And let’s not forget the Tigers’ offensive line, which returns four starters and gains All-Big Ten grad transfer James Winston from Iowa, solidifying what was already an underrated trench unit.

Drinkwitz’s Long-Term Vision Coming to Life

It’s been a slow and steady build for Coach Drinkwitz, but his patient approach may finally be bearing fruit. When he took over the Missouri program in 2020, he promised to restore competitiveness and inject life into recruiting. Many scoffed — Missouri, after all, hadn’t truly contended since its back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013-14. But now, those doubters are going quiet.

“Coach Drink has created something special,” said athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois in a recent interview. “We’re not just recruiting well, we’re retaining talent and creating a team that believes it can win on any field, against any team.”

With a favorable 2025 schedule that avoids Alabama and features home games against both Florida and Texas A&M, the Tigers have a legitimate path to double-digit wins — and perhaps even a shot at Atlanta in December.

Are the Tigers for Real?

Skeptics will point out that Missouri still has to prove it can beat the elite teams consistently. Georgia, LSU, and Texas loom large, and even with an improved roster, navigating the SEC is no easy feat.

But for the first time in years, Missouri has depth, star power, and a defined identity. CBS’s assessment doesn’t merely reflect recruiting rankings — it reflects the belief that Missouri is building something sustainable and dangerous.

“People need to stop treating Missouri like an afterthought,” said ESPN’s Paul Finebaum during a recent segment. “If you’ve watched what they’re doing, especially in the portal and on defense, you know they’re not far off. This could be their breakout year.”

Final Word

The national spotlight is beginning to shine on Columbia, Missouri — and not just for what’s happened, but for what could happen. With a revamped, reloaded roster and the momentum of national praise behind them, the Tigers are no longer just aiming to compete in the SEC — they’re looking to conquer it.

Whether 2025 ends with a CFP berth remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Missouri is no longer quietly rebuilding. They’re loudly arriving.

Watch this space. The Tigers are roaring again.