**BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Jayden McGregory Flips Commitment to Missouri Tigers Football**
**COLUMBIA, Mo.** – In a significant recruiting victory that continues to bolster the Missouri Tigers’ 2026 class, four-star safety **Jayden McGregory** announced his commitment to Mizzou on Wednesday, flipping his pledge from the Louisville Cardinals .
McGregory, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back from Des Moines, Iowa, becomes the 22nd commit in Missouri’s rapidly improving 2026 recruiting class . The Valley High School standout had been committed to Louisville prior to his flip, but Missouri’s persistent pursuit ultimately paid off for head coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff .
“I want to be a Tiger,” McGregory stated in his announcement, choosing Missouri over offers from Arkansas, Minnesota, Florida State, and others . According to 247Sports, McGregory ranks as the sixth-highest rated recruit in Missouri’s 2026 class and holds a composite rating of 0.8967, placing him firmly as a four-star prospect .
McGregory brings impressive two-way versatility to the Tigers’ secondary. He plays both sides of the ball for Valley High School, demonstrating exceptional ball-hawking skills in the defensive backfield. Scouts praise his ability to track down passes and his focus on breaking up plays rather than simply attempting interceptions . On offense, he displays agility, quickness, and a solid vertical that makes him a threat in space .
This flip represents another strong addition to a Missouri secondary that has been a clear priority in the 2026 cycle. McGregory joins fellow defensive backs Ahmod Billins, Tony Forney, Brody Jones, and Carter Stewart as the fifth defensive back in the recruiting class .
The Tigers’ 2026 recruiting class has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent months. After being ranked outside the top 80 in 247Sports’ team rankings earlier in the cycle, Missouri has surged into the top 30 nationally with the addition of McGregory and other recent commitments .
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has made flipping prospects a key component of his recruiting strategy. The Tigers have secured multiple flip commitments throughout this cycle, including three-star safety Carter Stewart from Utah and three-star cornerback Brody Jones from Cincinnati in October . More recently, Missouri added three-star defensive lineman Jocques Felix after flipping him from Iowa State during February’s signing period .
McGregory’s decision continues a pattern of late-cycle success for Drinkwitz and his staff. More than half of Missouri’s 19 signees from the early signing period committed in the final three months leading up to December, with several being flips or recent decommitments from other programs following coaching changes .
The Tigers’ 2026 class now features six four-star prospects according to 247Sports composite rankings, headlined by offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones, linebacker JJ Bush, running back Terry Hodges, cornerback Jaxson Gates, defensive lineman Tajh Overton, and now McGregory .
Missouri officially signed 19 players during the early signing period in December, with 15 of those already enrolled and participating in offseason workouts . The Tigers added four more during February’s National Signing Day, bringing the total class size to 23 players, including 22 high school student-athletes and one junior college recruit .
With the February signing period now complete, Missouri’s 2026 recruiting class ranks No. 31 nationally according to 247Sports, marking the fifth time under Drinkwitz that the Tigers have assembled a top-35 class .
For McGregory, the opportunity to compete in the SEC and contribute to a rising Missouri program proved too attractive to pass up. His versatility and playmaking ability should serve him well as he transitions to college football in Columbia.
