Malae Fonoti is Mizzou’s under-the-radar power back with SEC-ready upside
In 2025 at Montana, Malae Fonoti rushed 48 times for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns while adding 10 catches for 97 yards, and in 2026 he arrived at Missouri as a 5-foot-10, 209-pound back with multiple years of eligibility left. He’s valued for experience, versatility, and a physical downhill style that coaches trust in a deep SEC room; Missouri’s early 2026 depth charts list him behind the top backs, but analysts still point to his long-term fit because he already brings production, toughness, and special-teams/third-down usefulness from the FCS level.
