SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State football head coach Casey Woods has announced the addition of three players to his 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday (Feb. 4) with the opening of the February signing period.

Joining the Bears this summer will be: 

• William Dixon (Sr., OL, 6-3, 275, Midlothian, Va. (James River High / VMI)
• Malik Ganaway (Sr., 6-2, 190, DB, Trenton, Tenn. (Peabody High, Trinity Valley CC)
• Kaden Jones (Jr., 6-4, 250, DL, Yukon, Okla., Mustang High (Northeastern Okla. A&M)

"Our staff has done another amazing job of helping us fill up our roster and answer some future needs for roster management," said Woods. "With three more late additions to our team, we will be set up to compete in Conference USA headed into the season and maintain our current momentum. We built depth on both the offensive and defensive lines and helped support big roster fluctuations after next fall." 

Woods and his staff will be hosting an "Inside the Program" event on Friday, Feb. 13 to introduce the team's coaches and recent roster additions to the public. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Barley House at Moon Town Crossing (3060 N Kentwood Ave, Springfield). Light appetizers will be provided, and the event is free and open to the general public. No RSVP is required.

"I cannot wait to see everyone next Friday (Feb. 13) so we can properly introduce our newest class of Bears," Woods noted. "It takes Us All!
Go Bears!"

2026 Missouri State season tickets are available now by going to MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or by calling (417) 836-7678 during box office hours. 


Newcomer Capsules:

William Dixon 
  Dixon has spent the past four seasons at VMI where he started 12 games at right tackle for coach Danny Rocco in 2025 where he helped the SoCon program average 291.83 yards per game ... Also started all 12 games at right tackle as a junior ... Was on the Keydets squad in 2022 and 2023 but did not play in any games ... Was a prep standout at James River High School in Midloathian, Va., where he led coach Jacob Hodges' to an 9-3 record and 6A playoff appearance his senior season (2021) ... The Rapids averaged 252.5 yards per game in 2021.

Malik Ganaway
  Was one of the top defenders for Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College in 2025, racking up 46 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, an interception and 7 passes defended for coach Sherard Poteete's Cardinals ... Saw action in 6 games at Tennessee State in 2024, bringing down 13 ball carriers with 8 solos, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception and 4 passes defended ... Had season-high 5 tackles at North Dakota State (9/7/24) with 3 solos and an interception at the FargoDome in his lone season at TSU ... Began his college football journey with two seasons at Tennessee where he redshirted in 2022 and did not see any game action for the Vols in 2023 .. Had offers from UT Martin and Alabama A&M out of high school ... Prepped at Peabody High in Trenton, Tenn. 

Kaden Jones
  A fourth-year defensive lineman, Jones spent the 2025 season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he was a starter for coach Zach Crissup's Golden Norsemen ... In 2025, he brought down 29 ball carriers with 9 solos, 4.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and a pass breakup for a 6-5 squad while earning all-conference honors ... Jones spent the 2024 season at Central Oklahoma where he helped the Bronchos to an 11-2 season and NCAA Division II Playoff appearance ... Saw action in one game as a redshirt freshman, bringing down a pair of ball carriers in the Langston game (9/7/24) ... Began his college football journey at Oklahoma State in 2023 where the Cowboys were 10-4 and won the TaxAct Texas Bowl ... Prepped at Mustang (Okla.) High where he helped lead coach Lee Blankenship's Broncos to an 8-3 season his senior year (2022) while earning honorable mention all-state, all-metro, all-conference and all-district accolades ... Was also an all-conference selection as a junior for a 7-5 playoff team.


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