As an underclassman, Shaun Terry was more reserved.
The Class of 2025 wideout learned from the juniors and seniors at Ironton (Ohio) High how to become a leader. He stepped into that role the past two seasons for the Fighting Tigers, realizing the impact he could make on his teammates.
"The way he shows up, works every day, is contagious," Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton said. "I think it feeds off on all the guys around him, and I think that that's what Missouri is going to get. They're going to see that immediately."
Pendleton never worried about Terry getting into trouble or questioned his work ethic. Terry held himself to a higher standard than that, becoming the person parents wanted to model their children after.
"Character wise, he's second to none," Pendleton said. "When things are going bad and we're needing a spark offensively or defensively, it's either Shaun making a big play or Shaun rallying the guys in the huddle or Shaun throwing a huge block that springs us. He's just that spark plug. You see it in everything we do, he's that guy that brings the energy."
Recruitment
Terry verbally committed to Notre Dame in February, but his pledge didn't last longer than four months. The three-star wideout backed off from the Irish in early June, took an official visit to Missouri the same week and announced his commitment later that month.
"His biggest thing is he wants to go to somewhere that was like-minded, family-oriented," Pendleton said. "They're going to go through adversity together. They're going to work together."
No matter if it was head coach Eli Drinkwitz or wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler, Terry -- who will enroll in January -- felt a genuine connection with everyone on the Missouri staff. It's what attracted him to the Tigers and led to him signing his letter of intent the program Wednesday.
Basketball
Before succeeding on the gridiron, Terry excelled on the court.
His cousin is O.J. Mayo, the third overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. Mayo -- who founded his own AAU basketball program, Team Mayo, in West Virginia -- rostered Terry during his high school years, winning a national championship.
"That's where the athleticism, basketball lineage and everything comes from," Pendleton said. "I'd say if you asked him his first love was basketball as a kid, growing up that family, but you can he see him take those characteristics to the football field as well."
