The New York Jets took Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou with the seventh pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, making him the Tigers’ highest-drafted player in more than a decade. But local star wide receiver Luther Burden III was not drafted during the first round, meaning he’ll have to wait until Friday to receive his invite to the professional ranks.
Burden, a three-year star with the Tigers, slid out of the first round during a pre-draft cycle that saw him lose traction due to a less-productive 2024 season. He’s likely to be one of the first picks in the second round, which starts at 6 p.m. Friday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands on stage after announcing Armand Membou after he was chosen by the New York Jets with the seventh overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis.
Membou, who heads to the NFL after three seasons with Mizzou, is the program’s earliest selection since Aldon Smith went to the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, also seventh overall.
He gives MU first-round picks in back-to-back years after defensive end Darius Robinson went to the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th pick of last year’s draft.
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Membou hails from Lee’s Summit. He became a starter for the Tigers during his freshman season, then held down the right tackle job for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors during the latter campaign. After the season, Membou declared early for the draft.
Other Mizzou players hoping to hear their names called this weekend include quarterback Brady Cook, defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr.
