Mizzou Wide Receiver Trio Gelling Together as Spring Practices Progress

As the 2025 Missouri Tigers football team moves through spring practices, there’s a palpable sense of excitement surrounding the wide receiver group. Under the guidance of head coach Eli Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, the Missouri offense is looking to take the next step in its evolution, and much of that hinges on the performance of the wide receiver unit.

While it’s clear that this spring is still a time for competition and individual growth, one of the most intriguing storylines has been the development of the wide receiver trio at Missouri. Three key players have emerged as standouts during the early stages of spring practice, and their chemistry is rapidly coming together as the team looks to improve its aerial attack.

With a talented group of pass catchers working in unison, Missouri fans are starting to get a sense of what the offense could look like this fall. With spring practices in full swing, here’s an in-depth look at the trio of wide receivers that are gelling together and raising hopes for an explosive offensive performance in 2025.

The Rise of the Wide Receiver Trio

Heading into the 2025 season, Mizzou’s wide receiver corps has undergone some transformation. The Tigers lost key playmakers in the previous season, and some of the younger players now have the opportunity to step into larger roles. Among these young players, three wide receivers have stood out as integral components of the offensive plans: Luther Burden III, Theo Wease, and Mookie Cooper. Together, these three players form a dynamic trio that has been creating plenty of buzz during the spring practice sessions.

Luther Burden III: The Superstar Receiver

The most well-known name in this trio is Luther Burden III, a former five-star recruit who has lived up to the hype since stepping onto the field for Mizzou. Burden, a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, was one of the top wide receivers in the country when he committed to Missouri. He immediately made an impact as a freshman, showing off his explosive speed, exceptional ball skills, and ability to make plays all over the field.

As the most established of the trio, Burden enters spring camp with high expectations. He is arguably the most talented receiver in the SEC and a potential first-round NFL draft pick if he continues to develop at his current rate. Burden’s unique combination of size, speed, and hands makes him a dangerous weapon for Missouri’s offense.

What stands out in spring practice is Burden’s ability to build a rapport with the quarterbacks and his growing leadership role on the team. With a new quarterback under center for Missouri in 2025, Burden has made it a point to establish chemistry and timing with the signal-caller. During practices, his route running has been precise, and his ability to make acrobatic catches in tight windows continues to impress. Burden has taken on more responsibility this offseason as a leader for the wide receiver corps, guiding the younger players and helping them get acclimated to the pace of college football.

Luther Burden III isn’t just relying on his athleticism, though—he’s also showing growth in terms of his football IQ and mental approach to the game. He’s learning to be more patient with his routes, using his body to create separation from defenders, and understanding when to break off routes to make himself available to the quarterback.

Theo Wease: The Transfer with a Point to Prove

Joining Burden in the wide receiver room is Theo Wease, a highly touted transfer from Oklahoma. Wease, a 6-foot-4 receiver from Allen, Texas, comes to Missouri with a chip on his shoulder, hoping to prove that he can perform at an elite level in the SEC. After two solid seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners, Wease was ready for a new challenge, and Mizzou offered him an ideal opportunity to showcase his talents in a new system.

Wease has the size and skill set to be a dominant force in Missouri’s offense. His ability to stretch the field with his deep ball skills and use his size to win contested catches has been evident in spring practices. He’s been one of the standout players during the early practices, earning praise from coaches and teammates alike for his consistency and work ethic.

Wease’s role in the offense is shaping up to be a critical one. As a physical receiver with excellent hands and route-running ability, Wease provides the perfect complement to Burden’s speed and athleticism. While Burden can burn defenders with his quickness, Wease can use his strength and size to outmuscle defenders and make crucial catches in traffic. His versatility makes him a matchup nightmare, and he’s expected to play a significant role in Missouri’s passing attack this fall.

The chemistry between Wease and Burden has been developing quickly throughout the spring, with both receivers regularly working together on timing and understanding each other’s tendencies. Having two explosive receivers like Burden and Wease on the field at the same time will force opposing defenses to pick their poison, creating mismatches all over the field.

Mookie Cooper: The Slot Threat

The third member of the wide receiver trio is Mookie Cooper, a player who has been under the radar but is making huge strides in spring practices. Cooper, a transfer from Ohio State, has spent a couple of seasons at Missouri and has been working hard to earn a larger role in the offense. Standing at 5-foot-9, Cooper is a speedy, dynamic receiver known for his quickness, sharp route-running, and ability to make plays after the catch.

As a slot receiver, Cooper provides a different dimension compared to Burden and Wease. He has the ability to work the middle of the field, create separation with his quickness, and catch passes in tight spaces. Cooper’s agility and vision after the catch make him a dangerous weapon in Missouri’s offense, and he could quickly become a security blanket for the quarterback, especially in short-yardage situations.

Cooper’s relationship with both Burden and Wease has been developing as well. The trio’s ability to work off each other in practice has made Missouri’s passing game more unpredictable, as Cooper’s speed and agility make him a perfect counterbalance to the size and athleticism of Burden and Wease. Cooper has been consistently making plays in practice, showing off his ability to break tackles and turn short throws into big gains.

The combination of Cooper’s quickness and the downfield threat of Burden and Wease creates a three-headed monster for Missouri’s offense. Opposing defenses will have to figure out how to defend all three receivers, which makes Missouri’s offense that much more dangerous.

The Development of Team Chemistry

The success of Missouri’s wide receiver trio is not just about individual talent, but also about how well the players are gelling as a group. Team chemistry has been one of the focal points of spring practice, with the coaching staff emphasizing the importance of working together as a unit.

The players have made it clear that the bond between them is growing stronger by the day. Burden, Wease, and Cooper have been constantly in communication, both on and off the field, working to fine-tune their routes, timing, and understanding of the offense. The trio’s ability to work together has created a more fluid and efficient passing game, and their growing connection is something that has been noticeable to both the coaches and teammates.

The bond between the wide receivers extends beyond just the physical side of the game. It’s also about mental and emotional support. With so many talented players in the receiver room, there’s a natural level of competition, but it’s clear that the trio is building each other up, rather than working against each other. They’ve formed a supportive environment where each player pushes the others to be better while also sharing insights and advice that can help everyone improve.

This sense of camaraderie and collaboration is invaluable for the Tigers, especially as they prepare for a tough SEC schedule. The more the wide receiver trio works together, the more confident the coaching staff becomes in their ability to execute the offense at a high level.

The Impact on the 2025 Season

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the wide receiver trio at Missouri could be a game-changer. With Burden’s elite talent, Wease’s size and ability to make contested catches, and Cooper’s speed and agility in the slot, Missouri’s passing game has the potential to become one of the most dynamic and dangerous in the SEC.

The trio’s development during spring practices has created an exciting sense of anticipation for the fall. With Brady Cook returning at quarterback, the chemistry between the signal-caller and these receivers will be crucial to Missouri’s success. If the Tigers can build on the momentum of their spring practices, they have the potential to challenge some of the top teams in the SEC and make a serious run at a postseason berth.

Additionally, the presence of these three wide receivers means that Missouri’s offense can attack opponents in a variety of ways. Whether it’s downfield throws to Burden and Wease or quick strikes to Cooper in the middle of the field, Missouri will have the ability to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally.

The 2025 season could be a defining year for Missouri football, and the wide receiver trio will be at the heart of that success. As they continue to develop their chemistry through spring practices, it’s clear that Mizzou’s offense is ready to take the next step.