Top-Ranked Defensive End Williams Nwaneri to Leave Missouri, Enter Transfer Portal

Williams Nwaneri, the highly touted defensive end who was the centerpiece of Missouri‘s class of 2024, has announced his intention to leave the University of Missouri and enter the transfer portal. Nwaneri, a 6-foot-6, 257-pound standout from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was ranked No. 8 overall, No. 1 in Missouri, and the No. 1 defensive end in the country in the class of 2024 by Rivals.com.

Despite his promising recruitment, which included intense interest from Oklahoma, Georgia, and Oregon, Nwaneri chose to stay home and play for the Missouri Tigers. However, his time with the team has been brief. This season, he logged 38 plays in four games and recorded just two tackles against UMass on October 12.

Nwaneri’s prep career was marked by impressive statistics, including 149 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks. In his senior year alone, he accumulated 50 tackles and six sacks.

The winter college football transfer portal window, which opened on December 9, 2024, and will remain open for 20 days, provides Nwaneri with the opportunity to explore new options. Additionally, players have various other transfer windows throughout the year, including a 30-day window after their head coach leaves and a five-day window after their team finishes postseason play.