Missouri Tigers Receive Pledge From Coveted Lineman Taylor Chappell

After plucking an assortment of skill position players to fulfill future offensive needs, the Missouri Tigers have locked up their first prospect in the trenches for the class of 2011.

Power Mizzou, MU's Rivals.com affiliate, reported on Saturday that offensive tackle Taylor Chappell (Canadian, Tx.) has given a verbal pledge to play for the Tigers.

Chappell is the ninth known commitment for Missouri's recruiting class.

An all-District 1-1A selection as a junior at Canadian High School last season, the 6'6", 270-pound Chappell was a hot commodity, receiving offers from Kansas, Texas Tech, Arizona, and UCLA, among many others.

Despite the widespread attention, Chappell said his decision was ultimately an easy one. Wanting to end his recruitment prior to his senior season, Chappell embarked on a handful of campus visits over the past few months, but one school in particular stood out.

"I took a bunch of trips during the spring and out of all those, I liked Missouri the best," Chappell admitted, speaking exclusively to Power Mizzou . "There were good people, a good program, good facilities and an overall good campus. It just felt like it was the place for me."

Chappell is the first offensive lineman to commit to MU's class, and he certainly won't be the last.

Due to a limited number of available scholarships for the 2011 season, the Tigers are expected to accept no more than 18 commitments for the class, but a considerable amount of the remaining openings will likely be reserved for those being recruited to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Chappell for years to come.

According to Rivals.com, Missouri has offers out to 11 offensive linemen who are currently uncommitted.

Overall, Chappell is the third lineman to join the class, joining defensive end Shane Ray and tackle Sheldon Richardson , who was originally part of the 2009 class but won't join the team until next year, after completing junior college in California.

The other members of MU's 2011 class are defensive back Cortland Browning , linebacker Clarence Green , tight end Brandon Hannah , wide receiver Wesley Leftwich , quarterback Corbin Berkstresser , and athlete Anthony Pierson .