2004 Recruiting Class

Head Coach Gary Pinkel's class in 2004 was the first sighting of some of the future Stars that made up the nucleus of the team the went on to be ranked #1. Let's take a look at them.

Van Alexander	LB	6'1"	210	4.5	4
Brian Barmann	TE	6'4"	205	4.6	2
Mack Breed	ATH	6'2"	195	4.4	2
Julius Denzmore	ATH	6'2"	185	4.5	2
John Dirk	OL	6'3"	285	5	2
William Franklin	WR	6'1"	175	4.5	3
Earl Goldsmith	RB	5'10"	182	4.5	2
Jerrill Humphrey	WR	6'4"	210	4.5	4
Darrell Jackson	QB	6'2"	215	4.6	3
Jimmy Jackson	RB	5'9"	197	4.5	2
Domonique Johnson	DB	6'2"	190	4.5	2
George Lane	DT	6'3"	280	4.8	3
Ryan Madison	DT	6'5"	255	4.9	2
William Moore	WR	6'2"	200	4.4	3
Alvin Newhouse	LB	6'2"	220	4.6	2
Aaron O' Neal	RB	6'2"	210	4.6	2
Chase Patton	QB	6'4"	205	4.7	4
Steve Redmond	DB	6'0"	200	4.5	2
Kyle Riggs	OL	6'5"	303	5.2	4
Aaron Saunders	OL	6'7"	282	5.3	2
Stryker Sulak	DE	6'5"	230	4.7	2
Tony Temple	RB	5'10"	192	4.4	4
Chris Wade	DE	6'6"	220	4.7	2
Trenile Washington	WR	5'11"		4.4	2
Calcius Williams	DE	6'4"	210	4.5	2
					2.56
Total: 25

First let's start with Aaron O'Neal. He was the DB that passed away untimely during his time at Mizzou and couldn't help but start with him. He may have not made a big difference on the field but may have changed Gary Pinkel to being more of a players coach then ever before.

Van Alexander was a good linebacker for the Tigers and played very well. I don't believe he made it to the NFL but Van was a good player for the Tigers.

Will Franklin was the leading receiver from this class that played in the Cotton Bowl for the Tigers. He was drafted by the Chiefs but as many Chiefs fans know, without a great quarterback Marvin Harrison may have struggled in Kansas City. Named honorable mention Big 12.

Jimmy Jackson "The Pride of Caruthersville" was a North to South pounder for the Tigers. Undersized for the Halfback position, he was Mizzou's bulldozer in the red zone.

Ryan Madison was a great O-line guy for the Tigers and did a great job for them. In a offensive scheme that requires those guys to be mobile Ryan is well suited for that type of ball.

Willy Mo is probably the biggest surprise in this class. He is in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and plays defense. Willy was a leader and was a good run stopper as well. Finished Tiger career with 284 tackles, 11 career interceptions, 3 sacks and hold the record for 4 interception returns for a touchdown

Stryker Sulak was a defensive end for the Tigers that was a good player. Second team Big 12 and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He was cut before a contract was signed and his last action was 2009 with the Packers.

Tony Temple was a running back for the Tigers that went to Rockhurst in Kansas City. Temple was the hero in the Cotton Bowl and ran for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Hopes were lost on Tony when the NCAA didn't grant him an extra year for the 2008 season. Tony was a free agent with the Browns but was later released.

Looks like to me that the Coaching staff started to really do a good job with it's recruits this year. Most of these players were red shirted as well. These guys plus some kids from the 2005 class came in and helped to put Mizzou Football in a place that it hadn't been in 20 years.