Tigers add to 2013 class

There were rumblings this past week that Mizzou football had a surprise 2013 visitor in town. Those rumblings were confirmed late Friday night as word started to leak that Grand Prairie (Texas) South defensive tackle DeQuinton Osborne had committed.

PowerMizzou.com caught up with Osborne this morning to find out what made Missouri the best school for him.

"It was just a family like atmosphere. I felt like, as soon as I got there, I could easily see myself spending the next four to five years there," the 6 foot 300 pound prospect explained. "The coaches were all welcoming me with open arms and showing me that it's just the place for me. I love football and it's SEC football."

"The commitment was done up there," Osborne continued. "Previously, I had talked to my family about [committing] and if that was a place they wouldn't mind me going. We all agreed on it so when the time came I went ahead and committed."

It was a whirlwind process for Mizzou and Osborne as the Tigers just became involved in his recruitment towards the end of May.

"Missouri came to my school last week and I met with Coach [Dave] Steck[el]," said Osborne. "We talked about what [Missouri] had to offer and we set up the visit. I got up [to Missouri] Wednesday night and I stayed Thursday and came back Friday afternoon."

On his visit Osborne got the chance to talk with his future head coach and position coach.

"[Gary Pinkel and Craig Kuligowski] are great," he said. "They were both really honest with me and told me straight up how it's going to be. They told me when I get there that I'm going to have to work. It's not going to be a cake walk. It's something that you're going to have to work for and you have to have a passion for the game. You know, that's something that I accept."

Describing their abilities can sometimes be tough for players, but from what Osborne had to say Tiger fans should enjoy the late addition to the 2013 class.

"I can play the one or the three, but I prefer the three, though," said Osborne. "It's more of a one on one type situation and I don't feel like I can be blocked one on one. I bring a lot of intensity, a lot of energy, and a lot of energy type plays. I like to keep my team motivated. Whatever I can do to help my team."

Decisions this late in the process are not typical, but Osborne was very open when describing what caused his delay.

"There were other schools that had came to me and had offers for me and wanted me to come to their school," he said. "The main reason I committed so late, though, is that I had to take care of some academic things. At the end of the football season I was aware of that and I got done what I had to get done in the classroom and now I am able to come to Mizzou."

Most incoming freshman are starting to report this weekend and despite the late decision from Osborne he will not be far behind.

"I'm still in school right now, so I have to finish up this last week of school and then I report June 10," he said.