Missouri reportedly adds Baylor DE transfer. With portal closed, here’s how

The college football transfer portal has been closed for new entries for more than two months, but Missouri football has gone back to the de-facto free-agent market to add a Power-conference transfer defensive end.

Mizzou has signed Baylor transfer edge rusher Kamauryn Morgan, according to a report Tuesday from On3 college football insider Pete Nakos. The report was reposted by Missouri’s director of recruiting communications Maurey Bland. 

Morgan is a 6-foot-5, 251-pound pickup at edge rusher, where the Tigers are losing a lot of production from the 2025 team.

Over 10 games for Baylor as a true freshman, Morgan played 125 total snaps and registered six quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He had seven total tackles after signing as a four-star prospect out of Dallas.

The timing of the addition is quite odd, because there is no spring transfer portal window this season. 

Unlike Northern Illinois, where Missouri landed a recent transfer pickup in defensive tackle Mark Hensley, there has not been a recent coaching change at Baylor that opened up a window for its players to enter the portal.

More: New jersey numbers for Missouri football transfers, freshmen, returners

More: Missouri football gets late transfer commitment from NIU defensive tackle

Morgan originally entered the portal in December and committed to Virginia Tech shortly afterward. But, academic issues seemingly arose, which prevented Morgan from enrolling with the Hokies.

According to a report from Chris Hummer at 247Sports, he seemingly filed an appeal over an exam grade with Baylor, which was subsequently overturned. Morgan is now academically eligible.

Because there are no set deadlines for when a player must sign with a new school, Morgan was eligible to take visits and commit to a new school this spring. He was reportedly set to take visits with Auburn and Mississippi State in the upcoming days, but Mizzou has now landed his commitment.

The Tigers are losing their starting tandem at defensive end this season, as Zion Young is headed to the NFL Draft and Damon Wilson II transferred to Miami.

Returners Darrris Smith and Langden Kitchen are likely members of Mizzou’s two-deep at defensive end next season, and Miami transfer Malik Bryant, Florida State transfer Jaden Jones, JUCO transfer Demarcus Johnson and returner Daeden Hopkins will compete for reps. 

Morgan missed all of Missouri’s spring practices, which wrapped up Wednesday, March 18. His first official practices with the team will be in fall camp.

The edge rusher was 247Sports’ top available player in the portal at the time of his commitment.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: How Missouri football was able to add Baylor transfer EDGE in spring