Lair flips commit from SIU to Missouri State

[ChaoticFanatic]

Connor Lair is staying home. That’s always a nice feeling.

6’1 225 lbs and running a 4.5-4.6 40 yd dash

Ended up with 90 tackle, 21.5 for loss and 10.5 sacks and 4 INTs as a LB for West Plains in 12 games this year. Most teams tried to not run the ball AT him.
most of which he sat on the sidelines for part and sometimes all of the 2nd half.

Offensively he was used less than expected this year but still had 83 carries for 720 yards(8-9 yards per carry) and 22 receptions for 539 yards(24-25? Yards per reception) and 27 total TDs.

This is a big get for Missouri State by snatching up one of the better local recruits.

Was a 4 year starter for WP on defense and a 3 year starter on offense.

his soph year, he broke his foot in the first half against Lebanon and played the entire 2nd half, scoring two TDs in that half including the go ahead TD in a 36-35 come from behind win @ Lebanon

 

[J. Kane]

Connor Lair is staying home. That’s always a nice feeling.

6’1 225 lbs and running a 4.5-4.6 40 yd dash

Ended up with 90 tackle, 21.5 for loss and 10.5 sacks and 4 INTs as a LB for West Plains in 12 games this year. Most teams tried to not run the ball AT him.
most of which he sat on the sidelines for part and sometimes all of the 2nd half.

Offensively he was used less than expected this year but still had 83 carries for 720 yards(8-9 yards per carry) and 22 receptions for 539 yards(24-25? Yards per reception) and 27 total TDs.

This is a big get for Missouri State by snatching up one of the better local recruits.

Was a 4 year starter for WP on defense and a 3 year starter on offense.

his soph year, he broke his foot in the first half against Lebanon and played the entire 2nd half, scoring two TDs in that half including the go ahead TD in a 36-35 come from behind win @ Lebanon

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I believe he had one personal foul this year. Maybe two. And I know one was unnecessary roughness. Make your jokes snowflakes. I’m happy for the kid.

 

[AC100]

Is he going to play RB at Missouri St??

 

[503_Maple]

Is he going to play RB at Missouri St??

I could see him being a gadget player if not.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Is he going to play RB at Missouri St??

My understanding is that they have recruited him to play LB, but who knows.
I would say with the uptick in the quality of skill players they’ve had since Petrino arrived, he would be more capable defensively for them than he would offensively but who knows for sure.
He was a LB/RB/KR/PR for WP and tends to excel wherever you stick him, but college football is a whole different animal.

 

[tigershs]

I saw him playing some D-line in the Lebanon game. Not sure why they did that. Looked like a fish out of water. Lebanon would just read him and he was always wrong. You could see him getting very frustrated.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

The same lebanon game he had a pick 6 in?

He played noseguard as a freshman, d end as a soph and LB as a junior and senior

 

[tigershs]

The same lebanon game he had a pick 6 in?

He played noseguard as a freshman, d end as a soph and LB as a junior and senior

Yes. WP was getting rolled so I think they were grasping for straws. Why Lebanon tried to throw the ball at all in that game was beyond me. Only thing that kept WP in that game was Lebanon was not very good on Defense.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I wouldn’t call losing by 10 points getting rolled but hey, to each their own.
Now, WP beating Lebanon 63-14 last year, I think we can all agree that was a blowout.

hats off to Lebanon though, they came to play that week. It’s too bad they had a let down shortly after against a team that WP turbo-ed and shut out.

 

[tigershs]

WP gave up 276 yards rushing and 4 td's to one player, anyone would call that getting rolled.

 

[wcrb15]

4.5 speed at LB is really good. If he can get coached up and put on a bit more size (without giving up the speed) he'll have a chance at the league I'd imagine. Seems like a good get for the bears

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

WP gave up 276 yards rushing and 4 td's to one player, anyone would call that getting rolled.

I think that’s more of a credit to the Wilson kid he was running behind than the RB.
Lair or Kenslow could run for 275 a half behind that kid. He’s going to block for Mizzou for a reason lol

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

4.5 speed at LB is really good. If he can get coached up and put on a bit more size (without giving up the speed) he'll have a chance at the league I'd imagine. Seems like a good get for the bears

He doesn’t seem that fast because he’s reading more than he’s running usually at LB, but man when he turns on the jets it surprises me every time.
Jake Swope is playing on the OL up there as well, he graduated a few years ago. I believe he’ll be teammates with some Webb kids as well.

 

[tigershs]

I think that’s more of a credit to the Wilson kid he was running behind than the RB.
Lair or Kenslow could run for 275 a half behind that kid. He’s going to block for Mizzou for a reason lol

Looked like Lebanon ran it about equally both directions, but you are right Lebanon's O-line owned that game. They were by far the most physical group on the field that night.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Looked like Lebanon ran it about equally both directions, but you are right Lebanon's O-line owned that game. They were by far the most physical group on the field that night.

Oh I agree, I truly believe that was a revenge game for Lebanon. The year before, WP handed them possibly their worst conference loss ever or at least in the last 20 years and Lebanon came out and smacked them in the mouth.

And that Wilson kid was the most impressive lineman I’ve seen in any HS game I’ve watched this year. WP d line didn’t have an answer for him and that’s why they’re the only team that was able to gash WP on the ground consistently throughout the game.

 

[tigershs]

Well, putting Laird up on the D-line was definitely not the answer.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Well, putting Laird up on the D-line was definitely not the answer.

Well they normally don’t run a 5 front and if I’m correct they did a bunch against Lebanon because Lebanon doesn’t throw much and he’s their biggest LB size-wise, so playing him at end actually makes sense in comparison to the 170-180 lbs backers if you’re trying to keep your best guys on the field.

 

[65TPT]

In the Camdenton game he started at LB, then played DL, played a series or two at Safety and then back to LB. Definitely has an ability to play all over, but I would imagine him playing LB in college. I personally just think they misused him on offense at the high school level.

 

[AC100]

It will be interesting to see how long Petrino is there.

 

[TadQueasy]

It will be interesting to see how long Petrino is there.

Not long.

 

[_slo_mo_]

I think Lair is a great fit for Missouri State, and he'd have as good chance there in that program to go the league as he would anywhere else in the country. When I was at Missouri State they had Dylan Cole there who ended up being a multi time All-American before spending a few years in the league. Sounds like Lair could possibly be that same type of talent hopefully, I do think he's got a lot of growing up to do but we all did at that age.

I also don't think Petrino is going anywhere any time soon. I don't necessarily think that a job at a MAC school or something similar would be any better than potentially winning a national title in FCS or spearheading a move to FBS. Everyone says Petrino isn't long for Mo St but I think he could be, could be wishful thinking though..

 

[TadQueasy]

Look at the mans history. Do you really think he is going to change now for Springfield MO? Very unlikely.

 

[_slo_mo_]

True, his reputation is earned. Part of it is just being a hopeful Missouri State fan, the other part is just being a hopeful human. I see the dude on social media with all his family set up in town, got all his sons and in-laws on the staff, part of me just hopes he's ready to not be a dipshit but again... hope for the best expect the worst.

 

[TadQueasy]

True, his reputation is earned. Part of it is just being a hopeful Missouri State fan, the other part is just being a hopeful human. I see the dude on social media with all his family set up in town, got all his sons and in-laws on the staff, part of me just hopes he's ready to not be a dipshit but again... hope for the best expect the worst.

I hope you are right. It would be fun to have a long tenure of success in the area. But I just don't see it.

 

[Pancho and Lefty]

True, his reputation is earned. Part of it is just being a hopeful Missouri State fan, the other part is just being a hopeful human. I see the dude on social media with all his family set up in town, got all his sons and in-laws on the staff, part of me just hopes he's ready to not be a dipshit but again... hope for the best expect the worst.

Guy is a fantastic coach, obv has a reputation for some drama. Somebody will take a chance on him at some point if he keeps up the success. What he has done so quickly at Mo State w their past records is pretty amazing.

You have to think that with the top schools now paying coaches 9+ million a year, that the money will trickle down and other schools will increase pay. Meaning the smaller schools and financially strapped schools are going to have a harder time keeping coaches.

 

[COCfan1212]

Bobby Petrino has a reputation for sure but since he's been in Springfield he has been nothing short of outstanding. The local media love talking to him and the culture he has built in such a short time is impressive.

 

[TadQueasy]

Bobby Petrino has a reputation for sure but since he's been in Springfield he has been nothing short of outstanding. The local media love talking to him and the culture he has built in such a short time is impressive.

Don't you think that was true of all the places he has been? The man knows how to bring about change and get people on board with his plan. He has done it multiple times. But he has also departed from that rather quickly. Maybe this will be the exception

 

[Pancho and Lefty]

Don't you think that was true of all the places he has been? The man knows how to bring about change and get people on board with his plan. He has done it multiple times. But he has also departed from that rather quickly. Maybe this will be the exception

You would have to think he is well aware that he is on his last chance. Can understand like the above said in he has his family involved, slower pace of life, probably less pressure at Mo State. They make a deep run or win the whole thing, someone will throw him an offer for sure.

 

[Arcola]

On a related subject they are reporting the stud qb is back for one more year.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I believe their top receiver is also back as well.

if I’m correct they had something like 10-12 All-MVFC selections this year and only 3 of them are graduating.

 

[Arcola]

West Plains?

At first glance I thought your title said “Liar.”

I was like- damn. Harsh.

“Liar flips the bird to S. Illinois and commits to Mo. State.”

 

[J. Kane]

“Liar flips the bird to S. Illinois and commits to Mo. State.”

 

[OldZizzer69]

Just heard Lair on the radio saying one of the main reasons he is going to Missouri St. Petrino offered him a starting position at RB next year. It kinda surprised me. Was think more on the defense side.

 

[AC100]

Starting RB as a freshman? Kind of hard to believe

 

[OldZizzer69]

Starting RB as a freshman? Kind of hard to believe

I was thinking the same as well. But I heard it on the radio in a interview with Lair.

 

[TadQueasy]

Just heard Lair on the radio saying one of the main reasons he is going to Missouri St. Petrino offered him a starting position at RB next year. It kinda surprised me. Was think more on the defense side.

Very surprising and I would doubt that actually happens. Kid is really good, but he is not a starting RB at that level. He is made to be on defense IMO.

 

[TadQueasy]

Per sources, Lair has been told that he is going to be their H back, or "bigger back" type. I hope to see him succeed...any local kids getting pt at MSU is a big deal and great for the program.

ziz-msu

Now that is a possibility. I would still think he is more built for defense, but will be interesting to see what they do with him.

 

[Arcola]

Are we gonna believe everything Petrino tells us😉

 

[_slo_mo_]

Are we gonna believe everything Petrino tells us😉

Yeah there is absolutely no way he starts at RB, more specifically Tailback, as a freshman lol, but that's recruiting for ya. FWIW they do use about 3-4 RBs per game, so maybe him getting in to be a 3rd TE/FB hybrid for 4 plays a game or "competing in Fall Camp for a starting role" is him starting on a technicality. I still feel like it would make more sense to bulk him up and play defense...