The Missouri Tigers just made a major move in the transfer portal, beefing up their frontcourt with a commitment from Tennessee power forward Jaylen Carey. Head coach Dennis Gates lands a proven SEC contributor who brings a specific, elite skill to Columbia.

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, Carey is a physical force, particularly on the offensive glass. In just over 18 minutes per game for the Vols last season, he averaged 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. His true value, however, lies in his relentless pursuit of second-chance opportunities.

Carey's journey is unique, making him a rare three-time transfer with stops at James Madison, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee. At each program, he established himself as a premier offensive rebounder. Last season, he grabbed 103 offensive boards, ranking third in the entire SEC, and his offensive rebounding percentage of 14.8% is among the top-20 marks in SEC history.

This skill set addresses a critical need for Mizzou. The Tigers ranked 117th nationally in offensive rebounds last year and are losing their top two players in that category, Mark Mitchell and Shawn Phillips, to graduation. Carey immediately steps in as the anchor for a nearly entirely new frontcourt.

Basketball runs in the family for the Florida native. He is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Vernon Carey and the younger brother of former Duke All-American Vernon Carey Jr. Originally an unranked high school prospect, Carey has carved his own path, following coach Mark Byington from JMU to Vanderbilt before his standout season at Tennessee.

Carey's commitment is a cornerstone for Gates as he navigates significant roster turnover. The Tigers are also reportedly favorites for Providence transfer Jamier Jones and recently hosted Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller. If Missouri can secure this trio to join returning starter Trent Pierce, they could quickly assemble one of the most formidable front lines in the competitive SEC for the upcoming season.