QB from Texas headlines Tigers' recruits

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An early commitment by nationally touted quarterback Chase Daniel allowed Missouri, coming off a disappointing 5-6 season, to avoid a case of recruiting blahs.

Daniel, of Southlake, Texas, heads a 23-athlete class announced Wednesday, the first day for signing national letters of intent. He was 31-1 in high school, leading his team to a Class 5A state championship his senior year, and picked the Tigers over Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Maryland and Stanford.

Daniel, who threw for 4,617 yards and 49 touchdowns his senior season, is the heir apparent to Brad Smith. He was the No. 3 quarterback prospect in the nation by at least one analyst.

"It helped us tremendously," said Dave Yost, the school's quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. "All of the kids we were recruiting in Texas knew who Chase Daniel was."

Missouri ended up with seven Texas recruits, only two fewer than the Tigers landed in their own state.

The other jewel of the class is 6-foot-7, 220-pound tight end Chase Coffman, the son of Paul Coffman, who played in the NFL.