Missouri’s surprisingly good start has been built on balance. They house a defense that flies to the ball and an offense that makes the ball fly. They’ve got a steady hand under center, which has gotten them to start the season 5-0, after a 42-6 Homecoming rout of UMass with Beau Pribula’s school record of 21 straight completions. Ahmad Hardy also went off with 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. Momentum like this is what holds the team close and makes them focus on what is coming next. But even amid this 4-0 surge, a veteran safety has decided to hit pause and enter the transfer portal.

That player is Missouri defensive Back Caleb Flagg, a seasoned veteran who just transferred ahead of 2024 after spending two years at Houston Christian. He has been steadily rotated in his role. He had 11 appearances last season with 20 tackles and a forced fumble, and also played in four games this fall before redshirting. His earlier tape at Houston Christian was full of consistent production with 101 tackles, 11 fumbles, and a fumble recovery. On the 2025 roster, he was listed at safety behind Daylan Carnell. He was also a regular on special teams and had the third-most kickoff coverage and punt return on the roster.

“Thankful for my time at Mizzou and the staff who’ve supported me along the way… After much thought, I’ve decided to redshirt this season and enter the transfer portal. Excited for the next chapter ahead,” Flagg posted in announcing his decision. He also talked about the respect he harbours for his fellow teammates, saying,  “Most of all, I’m grateful for my defensive brothers — the bond we built is real and will always stay with me.” It wasn’t long before the staff also chimed in and announced that Flagg would no longer be part of the Missouri Tigers.

But the question is, why leave a 5-0, top-20 team? The answer boils down to two things: opportunity and fit. Missou’s safety room is fiercely competitive and is in a chokehold of Daylan Carnell and Marvin Burcks Jr., and Flagg was only being used in the rotational role and was squeezing game-to-game reps between veterans, while himself having a year left if it weren’t for his red-shirt decision. Moreover, if we add his defensive prowess with the special team reps he has, then he’d have to be a pretty attractive target at safety for the 2026 season.

For Missouri, though, the takeaway is that even if you’re riding high with a 5-0 start, players won’t hesitate to leave in this transfer portal era. Their defense is going in the right direction and will be tested in the hardest of tests against Alabama. For Flagg, his resume is strong and his production is proven. He has got a 100-tackle foundation from Houston, SEC game speed and some reps in the special teams too. So, both sides are at win here. As Mizzou can sit back with enough depth and veteran poise in the safety room, Flagg can reset the clock and chase a bigger role for the 2026 season.

Drinkwitz on SEC roster limits

Eli Drinkwitz has issued a sharp criticism of the SEC’s choice on roster limits on a nine-game slate, while others have moved towards 105 under the House settlement.“This year and last year, we had two bye weeks,” he said. “Next year, you’re back to a one-bye week schedule. We have nine SEC games.” Then he made the contrast explicit: “We are only at an 85-scholarship limit, while other conferences went up to 105.”

He also based his criticism on the competitive equity. He said, “The SEC is doing some really good things, but we all have to get on the same page about competitive equity. About what we’re doing to get ourselves a competitive advantage. We can’t stay behind the eight ball.” And it’s true. The SEC has the grind that no other conference has. And for that grind, the bodies matter, especially to have some injury insurance and practice quality. He wants the roster rules to change with the dynamic reality, which demands more athletes in this competitive environment.