Four-star defensive back Charles Bass from East St. Louis, Illinois, faced a competitive recruitment process, but in the end, he chose to stay close to home and join a program that resonated deeply with him and his ambitions.
Representing the East St. Louis Flyers, Bass announced his commitment to Missouri, citing a strong sense of familiarity and connection with the program.
🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star CB Charles Bass has committed to Missouri🐯
Read: https://t.co/Kg2DOxdONg pic.twitter.com/1fyZ3jhCKG
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) July 10, 2024
“What stands out most to me about Missouri is how it feels like home,” Bass shared with On3. “It is close to home and it really feels that way. I have a great connection with the coaches. Most of the coaches know me, they talk to me a lot and even coach (Eliah Drinkwitz) communicates with me.”
For Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers, Bass’s commitment represents a significant win, reinforcing the program’s upward trajectory and stability.
“The growth of the program is a factor,” Bass emphasized in an interview with 247Sports. “The coaches’ spots are more stable. I’m trying to go to the next level and they’re developing guys. They just had two DBs in the draft this year and I’m trying to be in their shoes.”
Ranked as the No. 13 athlete in the 2025 class according to the 247Sports Composite, Bass possesses versatility to play both cornerback and safety at the collegiate level, though Missouri intends to utilize him primarily as a safety.
Missouri successfully competed against a host of prestigious programs to secure Bass’s commitment, including Michigan, LSU, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas A&M.
Bass’s decision underscores the Tigers’ recruiting prowess and their ability to attract top talent from across the nation, particularly in the competitive realm of defensive backs. His commitment to Missouri signifies not only a personal choice but also a vote of confidence in the program’s future and its commitment to player development.