Mizzou continues to stockpile talent in their wide receiver unit with the addition of Xavier Loyd from Illinois State. What will he bright to the table?
The Missouri Tigers got some needed depth at the wide receiver position with the recent addition of Illinois State transfer Xavier Loyd. Plenty of power conference programs were interested in Loyd when he entered the transfer portal, making this an intriguing get for Eli Drinkwitz and the staff as they notably beat out Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Louisville.
Illinois St WR Xavier Loyd @XavierLoyd caught my eye this past season where he was part of one of the best WR Duo’s in the FCS.
A former Kansas State transfer, Loyd displays a wide catch radius and is a reliable chain mover for a RedBirds team that sneakily has a bunch of NFL… pic.twitter.com/LrbCX0PpJV— Bryan (@BGauvin23) March 25, 2025
Hung on to it! What a catch for @XavierLoyd and @RedbirdFB pic.twitter.com/LQboGZahRF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024
Where He Fits: In a loaded wide receiver room, Loyd might not be the first or second option at this position when there’s Kevin Coleman Jr., Marquis Johnson, and Joshua Manning — but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a solid contributor for the Tigers. He’s coming off a productive season with Illinois State and there was a reason why a lot of power conference teams that were interested in him. Loyd started his career with Kansas State but received minimal playing time during his two seasons with the Wildcats. So, the question becomes can Loyd produce at the SEC level?
When He’ll Play: Considering he only has one year of eligibility remaining, Loyd will certainly be playing right away for the Tigers next season. How much playing time will he get? That remains to be seen, but the Blue Springs native is coming back home with a bunch of experience under his belt. That can potentially be a huge factor in order for Loyd to make a big impact.
What it All Means: Depth is never a bad thing as injuries are bound to happen over the course of the season. With the addition of Xavier Loyd, Jacob Peeler has a lot of talent to work with at this position. Despite losing Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., and Mekhi Miller, the wide receiver position is still in good shape heading into this upcoming season. There’s a right mix of talent and experience within this group.