Road to Signing Day: QB

National Signing Day - Feb. 4 - is approaching quickly, and PowerMizzou.com is taking one last look at how Missouri's 2015 recruiting class came to fruition. We're looking back at the players already committed (although that list is subject to change) and breaking it down to explain how Missouri filled its numbers at each position group.

We first start at quarterback.

Committed: Lee's Summit (Mo.) four-star quarterback Drew Lock

It was Lock or bust in this year's class. Lock, the No. 1-player in the state of Missouri, was the Tigers' top target from the get-go, and the exclusivity in that focus was a big reason for Lock's eventual commitment.

Missouri did offer three other dual-threat quarterbacks - at least one of whom (JUCO athlete Todd Mays) - it wanted for other positions. But Lock was the first, and only, offer to a pro-style quarterback.

"It just shows how much they believe in and how much they care about him," Lock's father, Andy, told PowerMizzou.com shortly after his son committed.

Family played a big part in Lock's decision, too. His father played football at Missouri; so, too, did his grandfather. Lock's grown up around the program, and his recruitment, in essence, started at birth.

While Lock has always been a solid commitment since his announcement in April, it didn't stop other schools from trying to get in the picture. Most recently, Michigan and new coach Jim Harbaugh made overtures to Lock - who rebuffed them, and will sign with the Tigers on Wednesday.

Outlook for 2016: Missouri always wants at least one quarterback in every signing class. The position that sees the most turnover and transfers on rosters year-to-year demands it. The Tigers were hit hard by transfers and dismissals during the 2009 season, for instance. So far for 2016, Missouri is taking its time with offers to quarterbacks. One pro-style quarterback - Jack Allison of Palmetto, Fla., - and one dual-threat quarterback (Jawon Pass) have offers, although Allison is committed to Miami. Fort Osage (Mo.) quarterback Skylar Thompson is the top-ranked QB in the state for 2016, and Missouri is closely evaluating him, as well.

2015 Epilogue: It would have been interesting (if infuriating for fans) to see who Missouri went after should Lock have gone elsewhere. But Missouri put all its metaphorical eggs in Lock's basket, and in the end, it paid off. Lock is the most highly-regarded quarterback to come out of the state since Blaine Gabbert, and has a lanky, athletic frame that will add weight in Missouri's strength program. He's a smooth quarterback, and while he's not listed as a dual-threat, he has surprising speed and is very good at throwing on the run. He's also a stand-out shooting guard in basketball, and that athleticism transfers over to the football field.