Missouri isn't exactly the first place people think of when they talk about "football hotbeds." You hear Texas. You hear Florida. Maybe a little Georgia or Ohio. But if you actually look at the rosters on Sundays, Missouri is punching way above its weight class.
It’s kind of wild.
Whether it's the guys who grew up in the St. Louis or KC suburbs or the ones who turned into monsters in Columbia at Mizzou, the NFL players from Missouri are basically everywhere right now. Honestly, the state has this weird, chip-on-the-shoulder energy that seems to produce exactly the kind of gritty, high-motor players NFL coaches obsess over.
The St. Louis to NFL Pipeline is Real
If you want to talk about elite talent, you have to start with St. Louis. It’s not just a baseball town. For years, the Metro area has been churning out guys who don't just make rosters—they dominate them.
Take Ezekiel Elliott. Yeah, he’s a Dallas Cowboys legend (and back for another stint), but he’s a John Burroughs guy through and through. Before he was leapfrogging defenders in the pros, he was doing it on the fields in Ladue. He’s arguably the most famous active player from the state, but he’s far from the only one.
Then you’ve got Nick Bolton.
He’s the heartbeat of the Kansas City Chiefs defense. While he played his college ball at Mizzou, he’s become a local hero on both sides of the state. He just signed a massive $45-million extension because he’s basically a heat-seeking missile at linebacker. If there’s a tackle to be made in the gap, Bolton is there.
📖 Related: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Why Missouri High Schools are Different
It’s not just the big names. It’s the depth. In the 2025 NFL Draft, Missouri saw four players taken straight out of its high school ranks. That’s more than some entire regions.
The schools like De Smet, CBC, and Rockhurst in KC are essentially mini-colleges. They play a brand of physical, disciplined football that prepares kids for the jump. You’ve got guys like Charles Harris (Lincoln Prep) who went from a two-star recruit to a first-round pick. That’s the Missouri story in a nutshell.
The "Mizzou Made" Revolution
We can't talk about NFL players from Missouri without looking at the University of Missouri. The program has basically turned into a defensive line and linebacker factory.
Look at the current crop of Tigers in the league:
- Darius Robinson: The Arizona Cardinals defensive end is a problem for offensive tackles.
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: Scrappy corner now with the Detroit Lions.
- Ty'Ron Hopper: Making waves with the Green Bay Packers.
- Jaylon Carlies: A safety-turned-linebacker for the Colts who is a special teams ace.
And then there's Luther Burden III.
If you haven’t been watching the Chicago Bears, you’re missing out. Burden, a St. Louis native who stayed home to play for the Tigers, was a first-round lock and is already showing why. He’s got that "stop-start" speed that makes defenders look like they're running in sand.
👉 See also: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
The Underrated Gems
Everyone knows the stars, but Missouri also produces those "glue guys" who play 10 years and never miss a snap. Trystan Colon (the Lions center) and Larry Borom (the Dolphins tackle) aren't always in the headlines, but they’re the ones keeping quarterbacks upright.
What Most People Get Wrong About Missouri Talent
There’s this misconception that Missouri only produces "power" players—big linemen and run-stuffing linebackers.
That’s old-school thinking.
The state is getting faster. You’re seeing more receivers like Theo Wease Jr. (now with the Dolphins) and Ryan Flournoy. Flournoy is actually a fascinating case. He played at Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). Not a huge school, right? But the Dallas Cowboys saw the raw athleticism and took a shot on him. He’s already putting up solid numbers. It shows that the scouts are finally looking into every corner of the state, not just the big 6A programs.
Legends Who Set the Bar
You can't appreciate the guys playing in 2026 without acknowledging the monsters who came before them. Missouri has a deep Hall of Fame history.
Kellen Winslow basically reinvented the tight end position. Before him, tight ends were basically just extra offensive linemen who might catch a pass if the QB was desperate. Winslow, a Mizzou legend, turned it into a vertical threat position.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Then you have Roger Wehrli. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals (the football version!) and was so good at "shutdown" coverage that some people claim he’s the reason the term "Lockdown Corner" exists.
And let’s not forget Jeremy Maclin.
He holds almost every receiving record for a Missouri-born player. His 2014 season with the Eagles was one for the books. He showed that Missouri kids could be the fastest guys on the field, not just the strongest.
The 2026 Outlook: Who's Next?
The pipeline isn't slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating.
Keep an eye on Josiah Trotter. He’s a linebacker out of Mizzou who just declared for the 2026 Draft. He’s got that "old school" thumper mentality but with modern-day speed. Also, watch out for Zion Young and Chris McClellan. These guys are absolute units on the defensive line and are projected to be high-impact pros.
Even in the high school ranks, the 2026 class in Missouri is loaded. Jackson Cantwell out of Nixa is a 6'7", 325-pound offensive tackle who basically every college in the country is begging to sign. He’s the kind of kid who will be a Sunday starter three years from now.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you’re trying to keep track of the best talent coming out of the Show-Me State, here is how you stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Suburban Battles: The "Metro Catholic Conference" in St. Louis and the big suburban schools in Kansas City (like Liberty and Blue Springs) are where the future NFL stars are forged. If a kid is dominating there, he's legit.
- Follow the "Mizzou Made" Tag: Mizzou's coaching staff has a specific "type"—versatile, high-IQ defenders. Even the undrafted free agents from this program tend to stick on NFL rosters for years.
- Don't Ignore the FCS Schools: Between SEMO and Missouri State, the smaller schools in the state are consistently sending "overlooked" athletes to the NFL combine who end up being draft-day steals.
The reality is that Missouri has moved past being a "flyover state" for football. It’s a primary source of the league's toughest players. Next time you see a linebacker blow up a screen pass or a receiver make a contested catch in the end zone, check the roster. There’s a good chance he’s got Missouri roots.