Omaha Central’s Deshawn Woods is a Tiger. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman announced on Saturday his commitment to Missouri. 

“It’s like a family,” Woods said of his decision to choose Missouri. “I went down there twice in the last month and I just knew it was the place. My mom, my uncles and family can come sed me play. It’s not that far down the road and easy for them to get to.” 

Credit the Missouri coaching staff’s sitcktoitivness in securing Woods verbal commitment. Woods officially visited his two finalists Arizona State and Missouri last month. 

“Arizona State and Missouri have both been with me for a long time. The biggest factor is that Missouri has a whole plan for me academically and for my future.” 

He also took an unofficial visit to LSU. A second trip, an unofficial visit to Columbia is when he told Tiger head coach Eli Drinkwitz of his intentions. 

“Me and coach Drink have had serious conversations,” Woods said.”He said at the end of the day he will be happy for me no matter what school I chose. His facial expressions showed how happy he was.” 

 In late February, Woods trimmed his list of more than double-digit FBS offers to five; Miami, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Missouri and Florida. 

Woods is the top rated in-state prospect according to the 247Sports composite, a ranking which combines 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals national rankings. Nationally, the four-star prospect is rated as the No. 6 interior lineman and No. 149 overall. 

It is more of a personal connection with Woods and the Missouri staff. 

“I can’t say anything bad about Missouri,” he said in April. “They have been a big help with things off the field like grades and they are taking the extra steps to help me get what I need to get done so I can play in college.”