The country's top ranked high school wide receiver chose Missouri over rivals Arkansas and Oklahoma. He did it with much fanfare, making the announcement live on ESPN-U. Green-Beckham knew the impact he would make on the program.
"I see myself coming in there and leading the offense real well, having James Franklin creating a whole lot of space, having more time to throw the ball," said Green-Beckham after announcing his decision. "I feel more comfortable with my decision."
Mizzou's spread-offense works to the speedy, lengthy receiver's advantage. Junior quarterback James Franklin excelled in the offense at the end of the season. Senior wide receiver T.J, Moe thinks the offense will take a another step forward with the new target Green-Bekcham added to the lineup.
"You just don't see people that big do things that fast," said Moe. "That's really what makes him special is a guy who can run a 10 (second) 500-meter dahs and a 4.4, 40 (yard dash), and do that in a 6' 6", 225-pound body."
The impact of Dorial Green-Beckham's signing goes beyond x's and o's for the University of Missouri. It added an extra level of excitement for the fans heading into the inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference. It also gave Mizzou a bump in the very competitive recruiting battles of the SEC. Next year's class already has the making to be one of the school's best ever.
"It legitimized us to a lot of recruits out there, they know we got Dorial Green-Beckham," said offsensive coordinator Dave Yost. "When he chose us, chose us the way he did and so much drama, it caught onto a lot of people."
"Pencil" him in as a starter for now. Just don't do it in ink. Pinkel notes everybody that comes into the program starts at the same place, the bottom.
"Anybody that comes into our program, Jeremy Maclin, I can go on and on, come in and play as freshmen, you start at the bottom of the list and work you way up," said Pinkel. "That's where he is, at the bottom of the list. He'll compete to get playing time."
However, teammates say Dorial Green-Beckham has something working for him, besides his ability on the field.
"What's going to make him ultimately a special player, and eventually a starter, is he has the work ethic and he has the humility to understand what it takes to be a great football player," said Moe. "Generally, guys who are the number one recruit in the country, I haven't met a whole lot of them, but I would assume they are not the most humble people on the team. That's something you can not say about Dorial."
Missouri opens the season September 1 against Southeastern Louisiana in Columbia. Mizzou opens SEC play at home the following week against Georgia.
