Drinkwitz Praises Former Recruit Ryan Wingo

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke highly of Texas receiver Ryan Wingo, a St. Louis native, ahead of Saturday's matchup.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football

Drinkwitz Praises Former Recruit Ryan Wingo

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz praised Texas receiver Ryan Wingo ahead of their Saturday game. Wingo, a St. Louis native who chose Texas over Missouri during recruiting, recently hauled in seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss.

Why it matters

The matchup pits a Missouri program against a player from the state who opted to leave for Texas, putting a local recruiting decision on the field. Drinkwitz's comments highlight the lingering connection between Missouri and one of the Longhorns' key targets.

Wingo's stat line came from a single box score against Ole Miss, with seven receptions, 111 yards and one touchdown, including a 50-yard score. The source does not provide season-long numbers or a comparison with his earlier performances.

The players

Eli Drinkwitz

Eli Drinkwitz is the head football coach at the University of Missouri who praised Wingo ahead of the matchup.

Ryan Wingo

Ryan Wingo is a St. Louis-born Texas receiver who chose Texas over Missouri during recruiting.

Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian is the head football coach at the University of Texas whose offense features Wingo as a receiver.

The details

Drinkwitz said he will not be able to speak with Wingo after the game because of tampering rules. Wingo created separation and made plays after the catch as a downfield threat in Texas' offense under coach Steve Sarkisian.

Saturday: Missouri and Texas play each other.

Season Trajectory

Missouri's Saturday matchup against Texas places a former in-state recruit on the opposing sideline, a pattern common when Missouri programs lose top local prospects to bigger conferences. The result will add to the season narrative of how Missouri's recruiting battles with Texas-level programs translate onto the field.

Missouri and Texas meet Saturday, so Wingo's status as a Texas receiver adds a head-to-head storyline for anyone following the game. Fantasy managers tracking Texas receivers may also watch his usage in that matchup.

The takeaway

A former in-state recruit becoming a key target for a rival can reshape how a program's recruiting results are judged, so watching how Wingo performs against his home state's team will show how that choice plays out on the field.