Offensive tackle Andy Bauer (St. Louis/De Smet) traveled to Missouri Saturday and committed to play for the Tigers, according to the St. Louis Dispatch. He is one of 2014's most coveted prospects at this early stage in the process.

“I pulled a joke on Coach (Gary) Pinkel,” Bauer, who also watched practice while on campus, said. “I had a coat on all day. When we were in the office I told him it was getting a little hot in here. I took off my jacket. I had a shirt on that said ‘Forever a Tiger.’ I told him, 'Coach, I want to be a Tiger.'”

Auburn, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Boston College, Michigan, Ohio State and Miami-FL have also extended early scholarship offers to the 6-foot-5, 295-pound talent. Stanford, USC, Wisconsin, Iowa and Oregon were among the other program to show interest.

Bauer is Missouri's first Class of 2014 commitment. The Tigers have six recruits on board for 2013.