Four-star defensive back Charles Bass from East St. Louis, Illinois, faced a tough decision but ultimately opted to stay close to home and commit to a program with a strong track record of recruiting from his high school.
Bass, one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, chose Missouri over several other prominent schools, citing the program’s proximity to his hometown and the strong rapport he developed with the coaching staff, including head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. “I feel a strong connection with Missouri—it feels like home,” Bass shared with On3. “The coaches know me well, and Coach Drinkwitz personally communicates with me. It’s a place where I believe I can thrive both academically and athletically.”
Bass emphasized the positive trajectory of Missouri’s football program as a key factor in his decision. “The program’s growth and stability played a significant role,” he explained to 247Sports. “They have a track record of developing players for the next level, which is my goal. Seeing two defensive backs drafted this year shows their commitment to player development.”
Ranked as the No. 13 athlete in the 2025 class according to the 247Sports Composite, Bass has the versatility to play both cornerback and safety at the collegiate level. While Missouri may utilize him at either position, they plan to bring him in primarily as a safety.
Missouri successfully competed against notable programs such as Michigan, LSU, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas A&M to secure Bass’ commitment, highlighting their recruiting prowess and appeal to top talent.
Meanwhile, LSU’s significant investment in defensive line coach Bo Davis has already yielded positive outcomes, as evidenced by the enthusiastic endorsement from four-star commit Zion Williams. In an interview with ESPN 104.5 FM’s Matt Moscona on LockedOn LSU, Williams attributed his decision to join LSU directly to Coach Davis, who not only recruited him but will also coach him during his tenure in Baton Rouge.
Reflecting on his recruitment process, Williams expressed a strong affinity for Coach Davis: “The first time I met Coach Bo, I knew I wanted to play for him.” Despite Davis’ recent move to LSU from Texas, Williams affirmed that Davis’ presence was a pivotal factor in his decision, indicating that he might have chosen Texas if Davis had remained there.Williams’ endorsement underscores the impact Davis has made in a short time at LSU, highlighting his recruiting prowess and ability to connect with players like Williams from nearby regions.
