Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2024
- Class:
- 2007
Tight end Martin Rucker was a central figure in Mizzou's rise to prominence under Coach Gary Pinkel. As a senior in 2007, he caught 84 passes (then a MU season record) for 834 yards and eight touchdowns and was a Consensus All-American – Mizzou's first at the tight end position since Kellen Winslow in 1978. He was also a finalist that season for the Mackey Award that goes to the nation's top TE. He was a team captain on the 2007 team that won Mizzou's first Big 12 North Division title, posted a 12-2 record and finished fourth in the final national polls. All-Big 12 in both 2006 and '07, Rucker ended his career with a then-record 203 receptions, 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns. The St. Joseph product started 50 consecutive games from 2004-07, which was a record at the time. He was a fourth-round draft choice in 2008 by the Cleveland Browns.
