Missouri prep WR Green-Beckham signs with Tigers
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, one of the top prep recruits in the country, announced Wednesday that he plans to play at Missouri.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Green-Beckham says he slept on his decision Monday night after weekend visit to Columbia, Mo., and he still felt the Tigers were the right decision on Tuesday. He is looking forward to playing with quarterback James Franklin.
"I see myself coming in there and fitting in the offense real well," he said. "To have Franklin be able to move around in space and have more time to throw the ball, I feel real comfortable."
The Springfield (Hillcrest), Mo., player says he wanted to remain close to home and that the Tigers -- who are entering the Southeastern Conference next season -- are the perfect fit. Green-Beckham said he built a close relationship with coach Gary Pinkel and the rest of the staff during the recruiting process and that influenced his decision.
"I just stuck myself into the offense and pictured myself playing and seeing what opportunities we could have," he said. "The relationship with all of the coaches has been good growing up all through my high school career. The coaches have been great to me, so I enjoy the coaching staff."
Missouri will have T.J. Moe back at receiver, but Green-Beckham should have a chance to play right away. And he'll be doing it in the SEC, which boasts some of college football's toughest defenses.
"It's going to be a big change, a bigger atmosphere," he said. He was asked if thought he had a better chance of reaching the NFL via the SEC and said: "Sort of. Just the game speed and the atmosphere and to just be in that kind of offense."