Missouri Adds 2017 Under the Radar Florida SS Tyree Gillespie
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Missouri added an all-around athlete to their 2017 recruiting class on Sunday picking up a verbal commitment from Florida safety Tyree Gillespie.
Gillespie did a little bit of everything on the field for Vanguard High School during his senior season. The 5-11.5, 202 pound, standout was second on the Knights roster with 555 yards rushing off just 39 carries with seven scores. He also returned seven punts for 128 yards with a long of 43 sporting an impressive 18.3 yard per return average.
Where Missouri may position Gillespie once on campus is at safety. Gillespie was among the team leaders with 40 total tackles, 29 solo, and had two interceptions in 11 games played.
Despite filling that do-everything roll for his Ocala team, scholarship offers were all over the map for Gillespie. Missouri won out over offers from Louisville, Troy, New Mexico, Tulane, Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Florida A&M, and Iowa State.
The Tigers now have 21 verbal commitments to their 2017 class. If the staff fills out traditional roles for a balanced class expect to see another defensive tackle, linebacker, and wide receiver added. The best talent available regardless of position is always a nice late addition.
247Sports rates Missouri’s 2017 recruiting class No. 41 in the nation, No. 12 in the SEC. Rivals has the group at No. 39 with one four-star recruit and 17 three-star prospects.
Missouri Tigers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (21)
CB Terry Petry, 5-11, 180, Ridge Point HS, Missouri City, TX
CB Adam Sparks, 6-0, 170, Dutchtown HS, Geismar, LA
SS Joshuah Bledsoe, 5-11.5, 191, Dekaney HS, Houston, TX
SS Tyree Gillespie, 5-11.5, 202, Vanguard HS, Ocala, FL
LB Jamal Brooks, 6-1, 227, Bessemer City HS, Bessemer, AL
LB Aubrey Miller, 5-11.5, 207, Whitehaven HS, Memphis, TN
DE Nate Anderson, 6-3, 255, New Mexico Military Institute, NM
DE Chris Turner, 6-4, 225, Hammond HS, Hammond, LA
DT Rashad Brandon, 6-2, 315, ASA College, Brooklyn, NY
OG Larry Borom, 6-5, 338, Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills, MI
OC Case Cook, 6-5, 290, Carrollton HS, Carrollton, GA
OT Pompey Coleman, 6-5, 265, Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN
OT Yasir Durant, 6-6, 330, Arizona Western C.C., Yuma, AZ
OT Hyrin White, 6-7, 290, DeSoto HS, DeSoto, TX
TE Logan Christopherson, 6-5.5, 216, Lemont HS, Lemont, IL
RB Isaiah Miller, 5-11, 191, Baldwin HS, Jacksonville, FL
QB/ATH Reyondous Estes, 5-11.5, 164, East St. Louis HS, East St. Louis, IL
WR Jafar Armstrong, 6-0, 200, Bishop Mieng HS, Mission, KS
WR Elijah Gardiner, 6-5, 185, Kemp HS, Kemp, TX
ATH DaRon Davis, 6-2, 190, Hogan Prep, Kansas City, MO
LS Adam Bay, 6-0, 210, Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, AZ
Photo credit: rivals.com; Tyree Gillespie covers a receiver at a camp.