Drew Lock is one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Missouri quarterback was invited to attend the draft in Nashville on April 25 and is a potential top-15 pick. He attended Missouri’s spring game and spoke out against SEC coaches trying to poach Missouri players, according to ABC17’s Andrew Kauffman.
Former #Mizzou QB Drew Lock says he's proud of the team for sticking together after the NCAA sanctions came out.
"If you're calling and trying to steal players – I think you're probably pretty nervous about who you're about to play this year."
More 📺: https://t.co/NOudwLq8kJ pic.twitter.com/e1BmwLL0LW
— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) April 14, 2019
Missouri was banned from playing in a bowl game in 2019 after the school self-reported a tutor issue to the NCAA. The Tigers’ ineligibility to play in the postseason allows players to transfer and not have to sit out a year. Players at Ole Miss, Penn State, and USC all took advantage of this NCAA rule when their respective schools were ineligible for postseason play.
Lock’s statement was not directed towards coaches around the country. His message was directed towards the SEC coaches that had contacted Missouri players about potentially leaving the school.
“If you’re calling and trying to steal players- I think you’re probably pretty nervous about who you’re about to play this year,” Lock said.
The Tigers will not only lose their quarterback in Lock but also their top receiver in Emmanuel Hall. Missouri added Clemson grad transfer Kelly Bryant to play quarterback for the 2019 season. He looked good during the spring game and should help the Tigers compete in the SEC East.
Tigers’ head coach Barry Odom singled out Tennessee’s Jeremy Pruitt as the main person who has gone after his players.
“Everybody is going to have a bad day,” Odom said about keeping his players at Missouri. “You combine that with somebody that — who’d we beat 51-17 this year? Tennessee? Yeah, those guys. They are non-stop reaching out daily [saying], ‘Hey, come here.’ The grass is not always greener somewhere else.”
Even if the Tigers were eligible for a bowl game in 2019, they would not be favored to win the SEC East over either Georgia or Florida. Lock will be making millions of dollars in the NFL in 2019 but he is still passionate about how his alma mater will do next season.
