Peoria (Ill.) High Top247 defensive lineman Josh Augusta has committed to Missouri.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Augusta chose the Tigers over his other two finalists, Illinois and Michigan State.
“Family atmosphere and good academics,” Augusta said, adding his mind was made up last week. “What really sealed the deal were the coaches. They’re real cool.”
A Semper Fidelis All-American, Augusta is ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 16 defensive tackle and No. 206 prospect overall.
“They’re getting a real good kid,” Peoria High head coach Tim Thornton said. “They’re getting a real coachable kid. They’re getting a kid that’s as explosive and athletic for his size as I think you can get. He’s a great kid, great football player and I think he’s going to do great things for Missouri.”
Augusta did great things for Peoria at key times. As a senior he registered 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.
“He was real good at turning it up at clutch time,” Thornton said. “There were multiple games where we might have been in the red zone and just needed a stop and the game was on the line and he’d make two or three tackles for loss in a row. I still think he hasn’t tapped his full potential.”
Augusta becomes the 19th commit for Missouri in the class-of-2013, and the second four-star, joining safety Chase Abbington. Augusta will play the three-technique for the Tigers.
“They’re trying to get a little bigger now that they’re in the SEC, and try and find a little more of a big body that can hold up against some power,” Thornton said.
For a full look at Missouri's 2013 recruiting class, click here.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports