Missouri offers 2017 in-state OL

Maryland Heights (Mo.) Pattonville offensive lineman Marquis Hayes was called into his coach's office around noon Wednesday. He had a phone call to take. On the other line were Missouri running backs coach Cornell Ford, Hayes' recruiter, and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee.

It was then that the Tigers became the rising star's sixth offer since Christmas.

"They said they really liked how I played on film, how my film was," Hayes said. "How I was finishing blocks and just saying how good I was. They said they wanted me to come play for the next four years for one of the greatest coaches in the SEC."

Hayes plays left tackle and right tackle for Pattonville, but could play inside in college. Given the early nature of the conversation with Missouri, the coaches didn't get into specifics about where they see him fitting, but Hayes is malleable.

"It really don't matter," Hayes said. "If it was me, I'd probably start off at offensive guard and then work more to left tackle or right tackle as I get more foot speed, but I would become physical if I played at guard.

Hayes, at 6-6, 315, certainly packs the physique of a Power-5 offensive lineman, and three of his six offers are from such schools. Iowa State became the first school to offer on Christmas Eve; from there, in order, it went Miami (OH), Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Illinois.

Hayes attended junior days at Miami (OH) and Illinois this past weekend. On Sunday, in Champaign, the Illini offered him.

At this point -- early in the process -- Hayes says those Iowa State, Missouri and Illinois are his top-3, but makes sure to note that's because those are his three Power-5 offers.

More will likely come. He is receiving interest from Arkansas and Purdue, and said Notre Dame recently started sending him mail. He said he's not a fan of any schools right now, but has liked Ole Miss and Iowa in the past; Iowa, specifically because of its tradition of offensive linemen.

"Some of the top offensive linemen go there," Hayes said. "I heard they produce the best o-linemen and the most o-linemen to the NFL."

The next visit, however, will go to the in-state Tigers. Hayes said he will attend Missouri's junior day in the middle of February.