Teams chasing Mizzou for four-star QB Lock
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All these new offers -- the ones that will eventually pile up for Drew Lock -- are simple jumping off points. Sure, the four-star quarterback intends to inspect every one he receives with precision. But nearly every school involved has been charged with the task of severing family ties.
Lock's newest offer, an invite from Tennessee, made an impression on the 2015 prospect. The Vols, like every other team interested in his services, are trying to unseat the hometown team. Lock's recruitment is wide open. He wants to hear as many pitches as possible. At the same time, he's upfront about the situation.
Fact is, it's up to every other school in America to unseat Missouri, his father's alma mater, as the perceived favorite.
"I'm definitely weighing options," Lock said. "Still, at the same time, the hometown thing will be hard to pass up. I'm definitely weighting every offer I get."
The Tennessee offer didn't exactly catch Lock off guard. It was the result of a slow burn. Vols assistant Mike Bajakian and Lock have been in contact for months and a relationship had sprouted long ago.
But getting a foot in the door is the easy part when it comes to recruiting the Lee's Summit (Mo.) High School star. Getting him to forget about the team he grew up supporting and sign elsewhere will provide the difficulty. The process of attempting to do just that has started in Knoxville.
"I went down to Tennessee during the summer," Lock said. "Ever since then, Coach Bajakian, the offensive coordinator, and me have been talking back and forth. He came out to my game against Blue Springs -- the last game -- and I called him the next Tuesday. That's when the offer happened."
Lock has no immediate plans for a return to trip to Tennessee. Other than an unofficial visit to Missouri for the Tigers' game with Texas A&M over the weekend, his travel schedule is on hold. Basketball season is approaching quickly, and Lock has recruiting buzz to deal with on that front as well as a three-star prospect in that sport.
So far, Mizzou is the only school to offer Lock a chance to play both football and basketball at the BCS level. Things on that front may change in the months ahead, though.
"With basketball starting up, I think basketball stuff will start coming at me again," Lock said.
Rob Cassidy is a West Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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