What Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz said about Jackson State transfer Nyles Gaddy
Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz took the stage at SEC Media Days and spoke highly of his defense and its additions from the transfer portal in edge rusher Joe Moore, as well as safeties Sidney Williams and Tre'Vez Johnson.
Joining them is former Jackson State linebacker Nyles Gaddy, who twice entered the transfer portal after the 2022 season before committing to Missouri in May. Drinkwitz believes that Gaddy is still taking time to adjust to his new role in Columbia despite his high upside.
"I think Nyles has come in and really been hungry to learn," Drinkwitz told The Clarion Ledger. "Obviously there's a steep learning curve, having this being his third school, how we do things around our program in comparison to what he's done in the past. It's different. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's just how we do it here."
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Nashville native played in 24 games for Jackson State the past two seasons and was second on the team with seven sacks. In 2022, Gaddy was named All-Southwestern Athletic Conference after helping the Tigers become the No. 1 defense in the SWAC (allowing less than 13.7 points per game).
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After Jackson State coach Deion Sanders left for Colorado, Gaddy entered the transfer portal. He withdrew from the portal and played in the Tigers' Blue and White spring game on April 15. Gaddy announced shortly after the game that he was entering the transfer portal again before committing to Missouri.
"He's done all the things that we've asked him to do," Drinkwitz said. "He's been excellent in the weight room. He's trying to get up to speed because once we start fall camp, then every competition, you've got to be at your best every day, and that room is so deep. You can't have a bad day or you're going to fall on the depth chart, and that's the way you want it. That's the way great programs are built."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: SEC Mizzou football coach speaks on Jackson State transfer Nyles Gaddy
