The Mizzou Tigers have always bled black and gold, but lately, they've been seeing a little green—and that trend is set to continue for years to come. In late April, Lee's Summit North linebacker Caleb Green committed to head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers, adding another talented playmaker to Missouri's 2027 recruiting class.

Caleb is the younger (and much smaller) brother of Cayden Green, Mizzou's starting left tackle and a projected 2027 NFL draft pick. While Cayden anchors the offensive line, Caleb has been making his own name on the defensive side of the ball. Ranked as the No. 15 inside linebacker in the 2027 class by 247Sports, Caleb brings a blend of instinct and football IQ that stands out even at 6'1" and 215 pounds. He still has room to grow before arriving on campus, and that development will be key to his future role.

During his junior season at Lee's Summit North, Caleb played primarily inside linebacker in the Broncos' 4-3 defensive scheme. Mizzou, however, typically runs a two-linebacker system without a dedicated interior linebacker. That means Caleb will likely transition to the strong-side linebacker spot once he suits up in Columbia. To succeed there against SEC competition, he'll need to add at least 10 pounds of muscle to better shed blocks from opposing linemen. If his growth spurt takes him taller rather than heavier, he could slide into a STAR or box safety role—similar to how Daylan Carnell has been used in recent years. For now, linebacker seems to be his natural home, and that's where his skills shine brightest.

When you watch Caleb's junior film, you see a smart, instinctive player who excels at diagnosing plays and tracking down running backs—whether they're carrying the ball or slipping out for pass routes. He stays disciplined within the scheme, doing his job without freelancing. While he may not be the most eye-popping athlete in the Tigers' linebacker room, he consistently puts himself in the right place at the right time. And in the middle of a defense, that's exactly what you want.

Caleb will step into a linebacker room that's expected to be deep by the time he arrives. Multiple starters with two-plus years of eligibility remain on the roster in 2026, including Nick Rodriguez and Robert Woodyard Jr. That depth will give him time to develop and compete—and maybe even carve out his own legacy in a program that's starting to feel a little more green every day.