COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers have flipped yet another class of 2026 prospect, this time with 3-star cornerback Jaxson Gates. 

Gates originally committed to BYU July 8, but things would soon change. Hayes took a visit to Missouri Sept 27, then a visit to BYU Oct. 18, and soon decommit Oct. 31, when he'd then commit to Missouri later that day. The Tigers were the second-most recent team to offer Hayes, earlier than only Mississippi State. 

Gates had 14 official offers, but took just five visits include Missouri and BYU, the other three being Syracuse, Michigan State and Utah. 

Gates is the No. 662 player in the nation, No. 56 cornerback and No. 48 player in the state of California. He stands at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and adds elite athleticism to the Tigers' secondary. Hayes ran a blistering 10.39 second 100-meter dash the past spring with his high school track team, and that speed translates to the field. 

Missouri has now earned a 2026 commitment in each of the last six weekends, with Gates Oct. 31, Ahmod Billins Oct. 25, Tajh Overton Oct. 17, Johnnie Jones Oct. 11, JJ Bush and Terry Hodges the weekend of Oct. 4 and Micah Nickerson Sept. 28. 

Gates joins Billins as the only two cornerbacks in Missouri's 2026 class. On a broader scope of defensive backs, Brody Jones, Carter Stewart and Tony Forney join the safety group. 

Missouri's composite class of 2026 ranking is now No. 28 in the nation, skyrocketing up over the last month. The class is up to 21 players – four more than the 17 of the class of 2024. 

Gavin Sidwar, QB, 3-star
Terry Hodges, RB, 4-star
Maxwell Warner, RB, 3-star
Jabari Brady, WR, 3-star
Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR, 3-star
Isaac Jensen, TE, 3-star
Johnnie Jones, OT, 4-star
Brysen Wessell, OT, 3-Star
Braylon Ellison, IOL, 3-star
Brandon Anderson, IOL, 3-star
Khalief Canty, IOL, 3-star
Tajh Overton, DL, 4-star
Demarcus Johnson, DL, 3-star
Micah Nickerson, Edge, 3-star
JJ Bush, LB, 4-star
Keenan Harris, LB, 3-star
Ahmod Billins, CB, 3-star
Jaxson Gates, CB, 3-star
Tony Forner, S, 3-Star
Brody Jones, S, 3-star
Carter Stewart, S, 3-star

Missouri's three snap-count leading cornerbacks, Toriano Pride Jr., Drey Norwood and Stephen Hall, are all set to run out of eligibility following the 2025 season, leaving a gigantic void at the position. Youngsters Nick DeLoach and Cameron Keys should be slotted for larger roles next season, but Gates and Billins can slide up to their spots and provide depth contributions. 

Missouri is currently on a bye week, and will next face No. 3 Texas A&M Nov. 8 to continue its season.