Homegrown Pride: Toriano Pride Jr.'s Journey from Hallways to Mizzou Football Huddles

The Making of a Missouri Tiger

Growing up in Columbia, Missouri, Toriano Pride Jr. always dreamed of playing football for his hometown team, the Missouri Tigers. He spent countless hours in his backyard, emulating the likes of Brad Smith and Chase Daniel.

In high school, Pride quickly emerged as a star player. As a senior at Battle High School, he rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, leading his team to a state championship.

Following his standout high school career, Pride had his pick of several collegiate programs. However, he ultimately decided to stay close to home and play for the Tigers.

A Rough Start

Pride's freshman year at Mizzou was a tough one. The Tigers struggled to a 2-10 record, and Pride saw limited playing time.

The following year, things started to turn around. Pride played in all 12 games and finished the season with 432 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

In 2019, Pride took on a more prominent role in the Tigers' offense. He started 10 games and rushed for over 1,000 yards, becoming the first Mizzou running back to reach that milestone since Henry Josey in 2013.

A Senior Season to Remember

In 2020, Pride had his best season yet. He rushed for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a 5-5 record. He was named First Team All-SEC and finished his college career with over 2,500 rushing yards.

Pride's journey from the hallways of Battle High School to the football fields of Faurot Field at Mizzou is a testament to his hard work and determination.

He has become a fan favorite in Columbia and is poised to have a successful NFL career.