Missouri redshirt junior cornerback, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., announced on Saturday his decision to forego his final two seasons of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. Rakestraw, a key recruit under Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, stayed loyal to the program despite initial challenges. His commitment paid off with a notable victory at the Cotton Bowl, where the No. 9 Tigers defeated No. 7 Ohio State 14-3.
In a statement on X/Twitter, Rakestraw reflected on the journey, saying, “When I committed, a lot of people didn’t see our vision. Glad by the end of my career, we turned my dream into a reality.”
Standing at 6 feet and weighing 188 pounds, Rakestraw established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference, showcasing aggressive play and the ability to excel in man-to-man coverage. Despite facing elite offensive playmakers in the conference, he demonstrated resilience and intensity, traits expected to serve him well at the professional level.
After recovering from a season-ending ACL injury in his true sophomore season, Rakestraw compiled impressive stats, including 69 tackles, three forced fumbles, and 15 pass breakups over the last two seasons. Despite a nagging groin injury that sidelined him for the final two games of 2023, Rakestraw’s performances against notable opponents elevated his draft stock. Pro Football Network ranks him as a top-75 draft prospect, and he could potentially be selected in the first two days of the NFL Draft starting on April 25.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.’s departure now shifts the focus to junior cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, who faces a decision about his future in the coming month. Abrams-Draine, leading the conference in passes defended, may also consider entering the NFL Draft or potentially becoming a starter alongside new Clemson transfer cornerback Toriano Pride. If Abrams-Draine chooses to follow Rakestraw’s path, competition for snaps is expected between sophomore Drey Norwood and senior Marcus Clarke, along with incoming 2024 recruits Jaren Sensabaugh, Cameron Keys, and Jackson Hancock.
