Missouri football secured two highly-ranked recruits on Tuesday for their 2024 class: wide receiver James Madison II and cornerback Cameron Keys.
Madison, originally from Kansas City, was the first to commit, announcing his decision on Twitter. He chose Mizzou over Florida State, Michigan, Louisville, and Oregon. Madison is the second wide receiver to join the Tigers’ class and the third player from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to pledge to the program recently.
Teammate Nicholas Rodriguez, a four-star linebacker, committed on Monday, while three-star defensive tackle Justin Bodford announced his commitment on Sunday. Last season, the trio helped the Raiders achieve a perfect 14-0 record and win the Florida 3M state championship.
Madison, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver, demonstrated impressive footwork and releases off the line of scrimmage. With his athleticism and 6-8 wingspan, he poses a threat in the short-pass and screen game. Madison recorded 407 yards on 19 receptions, averaging 21.4 yards per catch with six touchdowns. He excels in gaining yards after the catch and will provide versatility to Mizzou’s passing game under new offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. Notably, Madison is the cousin of Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
Shortly after Madison’s announcement, Keys chose Mizzou over Kentucky and Vanderbilt, making his decision known via Instagram Live. Keys, from Lynn Haven, Florida, had an impressive record at Mosley High School last season, with 26 tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defended. He also excels in track, qualifying regionally in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.85 seconds.
Keys, a 6-foot cornerback, is the first at his position to commit and the third four-star prospect in the 2024 class. Safeties Cam Dooley and Jackson Hancock are the only other commitments in the secondary. Ranked as the 18th-best cornerback in his class and the 226th-best overall prospect by 247Sports.com, Keys possesses the speed and frame to cover receivers of all sizes. Despite his 160-pound weight, he demonstrates strong open-field tackling skills and exhibits clear instincts and ball-tracking ability, with some experience playing at the receiver position.
Missouri’s recruiting weekend in late June played a significant role in shaping the 2024 class, with Keys becoming the sixth commitment out of 11 attendees. Only two attendees, Jeremiah Beasley and William Echoles, chose other schools (Michigan and Ole Miss, respectively).
In other news, three-star linebacker Jonathan Agumadu, who had received offers from several schools including Missouri, announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. With this commitment, Mizzou currently has 10 commitments, including five on the defensive side of the ball.
Several other targets for the Tigers will announce their commitments in the coming days, contributing to the recent surge in recruiting. Three-star edge rusher Cole McConathy will decide between Mizzou and Louisville on Friday, while three-star defensive lineman Jamari Payne and four-star running back Johann Cardenas will make their decisions on Saturday. Four-star linebacker Brian Huff is scheduled to announce his commitment next Wednesday, choosing between Mizzou, Arkansas, UNLV, and UCF.
