# Daeden Hopkins is carrying Hermann into the SEC

> A small-town Missouri edge rusher is turning early fear into sacks, snaps and hometown pride at Mizzou.
- Title: Daeden Hopkins is carrying Hermann into the SEC | Shortify
- Summary: A small-town Missouri edge rusher is turning early fear into sacks, snaps and hometown pride at Mizzou. Daeden Hopkins has gone from a tiny Hermann school to…
- Keywords: mizzou football, college football, sec, recruiting, missouri, sports, Daeden, Hopkins, carrying, Hermann, Missouri Tigers On SI
- Source: Missouri Tigers On SI — https://si.com/college/missouri/football/daeden-hopkins-on-why-it-s-a-blessing-to-put-hermann-on-the-map-at-mizzou-
- Published: 2026-09-15T19:16:21+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mizzou football, college football, sec, recruiting, missouri, sports
## One in 2,185
Daeden Hopkins comes from Hermann, Missouri, a town with 2,185 people in the 2020 census. Few football prospects from there have reached his level.
## A tiny football map
Hermann has produced names like Brock Olivo, but Hopkins now stands out as the town's top modern football prospect.
## The Subway test
Hopkins explains Hermann's size with one detail: its only chain restaurant was a Subway, and even that has closed.

> we have one chain restaurant in that town, and it's Subway, and it actually just closed down
## Small school numbers
Before starring at Hermann High, Hopkins attended St. George Catholic School. His eighth-grade class had only eight or nine students.

> I graduated eighth grade with like eight or nine people
## Two-way dominance
As a junior in 2023, Hopkins piled up 67 tackles, 9 sacks, 5 pass breakups, a fumble recovery, 691 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
## Big offers arrived
His play drew Power Four offers from Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri in the fall of his junior season, with more soon after.
## Staying close to home
After his recruitment grew, Hopkins chose Missouri. The in-state commitment gave Hermann a direct line to SEC football.
## The SEC jump
Hopkins signed in December 2024 and enrolled the next June. He moved from small-town competition to facing massive SEC linemen in practice.
## First-rep fear
His first summer OTA rep hit hard. Hopkins admitted he was scared, then found his way through it.

> I was scared. I was really scared
## Freshman trust
Hopkins earned real snaps as a true freshman, playing double digits against Central Arkansas, Louisiana and Massachusetts.
## A late flash
Against Mississippi State, he played a season-high 22 snaps, made five tackles and recorded a sack before Missouri preserved his redshirt.
## Bigger and stronger
Hopkins stayed through the transfer portal cycle and added nearly 15 pounds of muscle, reaching about 250 pounds before the next season.
## A bold projection
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz praised Hopkins at a May event, saying the Hermann native could become a first-round pick if he stays on track.

> if he stays the course, he'll be a first-round draft pick
## Kansas breakthrough
In Missouri's 38-21 win over Kansas, Hopkins posted three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his first Power Four game of the season.
## Hermann is watching
Hopkins earned co-SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week and leads Missouri with 12 pressures, 2 sacks and 9 hurries through two games.

> It's an honor. It's a blessing to just be recognized in my hometown.
## Key takeaway

Daeden Hopkins has gone from a tiny Hermann school to a real role on Missouri's defense, and his rise is giving his hometown a rare SEC spotlight.