Mar 19, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates interacts with his players during a practice session at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Where Does 2025 Transfer Portal Group Class Rank for Dennis Gates?

Originally posted on Missouri Tigers on SI
By Joey Van Zummeren | Last updated May 18, 2025 12:29 PM ET

The transfer portal has been a significant factor in the success Dennis Gates has had in some seasons, or not had in others, with the Missouri Tigers. It's been a key part of college athletics ever since he took over the program in 2022.

The 2025 offseason has arguably been the quietest for Gates, however. It's a change of approach after finding building blocks of the roster through the portal in previous seasons.

"We're not successful going to two NCAA tournaments out of three years without innovation, without relationships, without the ability to have conversations with not only agents, but students," Gates said April 29. "Emotionally, there is a way to connect with them in a special way."

Entering 2025, Gates is instead betting on the development of young returners. Rising sophomores T.O. Barrett, Annor Boateng and Trent Burns will all have to take strides in development. But, Mark Mitchell, who Missouri acquired through the transfer portal from Duke ahead of last season, will also be a star on the team.

Because of the in-house approach, Missouri hasn't swung for too many home runs in this year's portal class. According to recruiting sites, it's by far Gates' lowest-rated class during his time at Missouri.

Here's a look at how On3 and 247Sports have graded each of Gates' transfer portal classes thus far with the Tigers.