Eddie Kelly Jr. in line for bigger role among Mizzou defensive ends, notes from full Friday practice
Georgia Tech defensive lineman Eddie Kelly (97) reacts after a tackle against Mississippi during the second half an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
Thomas Graning, Associated Press
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COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 The rotation keeps on rotating.
Down one player after edge rusher Darris Smith鈥檚 season-ending injury earlier in the week, Missouri鈥檚 group of defensive ends was one fewer in number during Friday鈥檚 practice but still conducting business as usual.
Zion Young and Johnny Walker Jr. remain the projected starters at the end positions. Joe Moore III remains solidly in the mix as a regular sub. Jahkai Lang has impressed enough during preseason camp that he could be in line for some snaps. But the edge rusher who could see the biggest increase in role because of Smith鈥檚 absence is Eddie Kelly Jr.
鈥淢e, Zion, Joe, Jahkai, we gonna all get after it,鈥 Kelly said this week. 鈥淲e all got depth so we know what we need to do.鈥
He seemed to take a healthy number of second-team snaps during Friday drills, an indicator he鈥檚 likely to be one of the four edge rushers the Tigers will rotate through during games.
Kelly transferred to Mizzou from Georgia Tech during the offseason, making this his second consecutive year in a new place after moving on from South Florida ahead of the 2023 campaign.
鈥淯ltimately, why it was Missouri is because I believed in Coach Drink(witz),鈥 Kelly said. 鈥淚 appreciated Coach Drink for taking a shot on me and I understood what the program did the year before.鈥
In a depth role, Kelly recorded 6.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks during the 2023 season after playing minimally during his first year of college football. Each step of his career has seen an uptick in level of competition, but that doesn鈥檛 seem like something that intimidates the Orlando, Florida, product.
鈥淚 played a lot of SEC teams when I was in the AAC (with South Florida), and I played a lot of SEC teams when I was in the ACC (with Georgia Tech),鈥 Kelly said. 鈥淓verybody puts their pads on the same way, their shoulder pads on the same way, so if you鈥檙e a dog, you can go out there and ball regardless. That鈥檚 how I feel about the game of football.鈥
Tech played Georgia and Mississippi last year 鈥 Kelly picked up a sack in the latter affair 鈥 and South Florida faced Florida during the defensive end鈥檚 stint there.
His game doesn鈥檛 make him a like-for-like replacement for Smith, whose long, lean, athletic build makes him a prototype for the Tigers鈥 joker role on the defensive line. At 6-foot-4, 278 pounds, Kelly has the versatility to play closer to the interior as well.
鈥淎nything the team needs me to do, I鈥檓 willing to do it,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey need me to rush from the three (technique), they need me to take some blocks from the three, I鈥檓 here to do it.鈥
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz allowed writers to observe the entirety of Friday鈥檚 practice 鈥 usually, media are only invited for individual drills 鈥 which allowed for a handful of observations as the Tigers close out preseason camp.
Tight ends Brett Norfleet and Jordon Harris, who have both been absent from practice of late because of unspecified injuries, returned to action as expected. Both donned green non-contact jerseys, though Norfleet didn鈥檛 seem to be particularly limited in drills. Harris, however, spent a significant portion of practice doing individual work on the sideline.
During situational offense vs. defense drills, Mizzou鈥檚 personnel usage almost completely aligned with the projected version of the depth chart that the Post-Dispatch published earlier this week.
Interestingly, though, Marquis Gracial took more first-team reps than Chris McClellan did at defensive tackle, perhaps suggesting that the competition for a starting spot alongside Kristian Williams remains open. Regardless of who gets the starting nod, D-tackle is likely to be a four-man rotation with Sterling Webb also involved. Sam Williams and Jalen Marshall, who have been consistently pushing the first four tackles throughout camp, looked competitive.
One bit of schematic consistency between new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon and Blake Baker, his predecessor, looks like it will be the use of a prowler package in some scenarios 鈥 likely 3rd and long situations. That look involves trading out a linebacker for an additional defensive back, turning into something of a 4-1-6 alignment. It鈥檚 more fluid than those numbers suggest, though, allowing for more creative coverages and blitzes with an unconventional personnel grouping.
During Friday鈥檚 snaps where the defense played prowler, Khalil Jacobs occupied the lone linebacker role.
Wide receiver Daniel Blood was the first punt returner to take the field, followed by Marquis Johnson with the second team. Johnson and safety Marvin Burks Jr. were the first-team kick returners, with running back Jamal Roberts and wide receiver Joshua Manning as the second unit.
Playing with the second-team offense, Blood secured a stellar catch against cornerback Nic DeLoach, who was alternating first-team reps with Toriano Pride Jr.
Mizzou鈥檚 offensive starters struggled to string together much. During one sequence that placed the offense on its own 15-yard line with the task of getting enough first downs to start a drive 鈥 and with the defense trying to secure field position, Cook went through all of his progressions on first down but threw a checkdown to running back Nate Noel incomplete. Walker 鈥渟acked鈥 Cook on second down 鈥 quarterbacks weren鈥檛 live, so he didn鈥檛 hit Cook 鈥 and a third and 17 pass to wideout Mookie Cooper on a crossing route went off Cooper鈥檚 hands.
To close out the practice, Mizzou ran 4th and goal plays from the 8-yard line. Cook tried to force a pass to a double-covered Luther Burden III at the pylon for the first team鈥檚 attempt, which safety Joseph Charleston broke up. Second-team quarterback Drew Pyne threw a fade at the feet of Blood, who would have been short of the end zone anyway.
Changes galore loom in how you will be watching football this season: Media Views
Normally, football royalty names such as Brady, Belichick and Saban would command all the attention for transitioning into broadcasting for the soon-to-start gridiron season.
But while those certainly are major headliners in the vastly new TV landscape this year, they are far from the only focus in what will be a much different way for fans 鈥 especially of college football 鈥 to watch the sport.
We鈥檒l start with the big names:
TOM鈥橲 TIME: Former pro quarterback extraordinaire Tom Brady has joined Fox, which pushed Greg Olsen out of its No. 1 game analyst role to open the spot for Brady 鈥 and his reported $375 million salary spread across 10 years. He joins play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Burkhardt, who replaced Joe Buck on Fox鈥檚 lead NFL crew after Buck moved to ESPN鈥檚 鈥淢onday Night Football鈥 three seasons ago.
Brady actually made his Fox debut in 50度灰视频, where he had a cameo appearance in the booth for the United Football League title game June 16. He gets going for real Sept. 8 for Dallas鈥 contest in Cleveland.
There has been a lot of questioning if Brady can translate his success on the field, where he carved defenses, into the booth, where a great analyst likewise can carve teams and personnel in an analytical, not personal, fashion. After all, Brady never was a glib quote machine as a player.
He addressed his approach in an appearance this summer on an episode of the 鈥溾 podcast, saying he might actually have to tone down what he is thinking.
鈥淭he important part for me would be how do I continue to make it fun for people to enjoy the viewing experience,鈥 Brady said. 鈥淪ometimes I get a little too serious because I see myself as 鈥榪uarterback Tom Brady鈥 as opposed to 鈥榣et鈥檚 enjoy a great game of football Tom Brady.鈥 Sometimes I become a little too critical. So I鈥檓 trying to make sure I have the right tone. I鈥檓 very specific of how I think the game should be played. I want to see the game evolve and grow.鈥
There was more.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a high expectation of how I expect the game to be played because I was there and I saw Coach (Bill) Belichick and I saw Hall of Famers and I played with them and played against them and I played in big games,鈥 Brady said. 鈥湴粘蟊鸢疴檚 just a certain expectation level that I see for really great performers.鈥
NICK鈥橲 KNACK: While Brady will have a prominent NFL role, legendary college football coach Nick Saban will have a key broadcasting post at that level. Saban, who retired in the offseason after an iconic coaching career that included winning seven national titles 鈥 six at his final stop, Alabama 鈥 has been added to ESPN鈥檚 鈥淐ollege GameDay鈥 show, the popular Saturday morning program leading into the long day of game action.
Saban, at the Southeastern Conference football preseason hype sessions last month, vowed to prepare for 鈥淕ameDay鈥 in a similar fashion to what he did for an opponent on the field.
鈥淔or this (event), I talked to every coach, I watched everybody鈥檚 spring game,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 looked at some film to try to figure it out. I鈥檓 going to do the same thing in the fall when it comes to 鈥楪ameDay.鈥欌
Unlike Brady, who said he might have to try to not be overly critical, Saban sounds as if he will take a different approach.
鈥淣obody has told me I have to be critical,鈥 he said then. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be critical. I want to be objective, but I don鈥檛 want to be controversial. You can take any decision ... that anybody makes and make it controversial. Like, if we go for it on fourth-and-3 we鈥檇 have 100,000 people in Alabama say, 鈥業鈥檓 glad he鈥檚 going for it.鈥 And we鈥檇 have 100,000 people say, 鈥楬e鈥檚 (dumb) for going for it.鈥欌
Saban contributed to ESPN鈥檚 NFL draft coverage and is set for his 鈥淕ameDay鈥 debut at 8 a.m. Aug. 24. That leads into the first game of the season, Florida State and Georgia Tech tangling in Dublin, Ireland, in a game to be televised on ESPN at 11 a.m. (50度灰视频 time).
TWIN BILL: The 鈥淏ig Three鈥 additions to the football broadcasting scene this season is rounded out by iconic former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, he of six Super Bowl titles while leading the team. He鈥檚 set to pull double duty, appearing on ESPN2鈥檚 鈥淢anningCast鈥 alternate version of ESPN鈥檚 鈥淢onday Night Football鈥 telecasts and on 鈥淚nside the NFL,鈥 the storied weekly show that now is on CW Network.
Belichick is scheduled to be on every one of the 11 鈥淢anningCasts鈥 this season (including playoffs), beginning Sept. 9 when the Jets and 49ers meet to cap the season鈥檚 opening week. The shows are co-hosted by former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and feature several high-profile guests each time.
Belichick also has been added to the 鈥淚nside the NFL鈥 panel of former NFL players Ryan Clark, Chris Long and Chad Johnson. That program used to mix recaps of the previous week鈥檚 action and NFL Films premium-level highlights with commentary and a look at the coming week鈥檚 schedule and was a staple on HBO and Showtime for decades. But it has bounced around in recent years and could use a boost that Belichick could provide in its retooled format.
鈥淚nside鈥 is set for its second season on the CW Network (KPLR, Channel 11 locally), and the focus is being shifted to discussion on upcoming games more than looking back. It also is being moved to 8 p.m. Fridays instead of its former Tuesday night slot. Its season kicks off with a league preview show Aug. 30.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to join my new team at NFL Films and to work on such a historic television franchise,鈥 Belichick said in a statement. 鈥淚鈥檝e always appreciated 鈥業nside the NFL鈥檚鈥 depth of analysis, and I hope to bring the same detailed insight to the CW.鈥
College corner
There is a maze of significant changes in the way college football will be televised 鈥 most notably the loss of CBS鈥 2:30 p.m. Saturday showcase slot for a big game in the league, a staple for decades.
ABC (KDNL, Channel 30, locally) now has that feature slot for the SEC, part of a 10-year deal with Disney worth a reported $300 million annually that is beginning. Games will be spread across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network and ESPNU. The primary slots for games will be at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
While 2:30 will remain a key spot for Disney, it won鈥檛 necessarily always be the most important one.
鈥淚t should be one of the two best games, at least on paper, each week,鈥 Nick Dawson, senior vice president of college sports programming and acquisitions for those Disney outlets, has told the Post-Dispatch. 鈥淭here will be times we shift the feature game to ABC in prime time. We鈥檇 have an SEC game on ABC (at 2:30), it might just be the second game, or 鈥楢-鈥 game.鈥
For Week 1, Miami-Florida is set for the 2:30 spot with Notre Dame-Texas A&M to follow at 6:30 p.m.
CBS (KMOV, Channel 4 locally) replaces the SEC with the Big Ten in that marquee midafternoon Saturday slot, sharing that league鈥檚 package with NBC and Fox. CBS kicks things off Aug. 31 with Akron-Ohio State. Big Ten Network also remains in the mix. It also will have the Big Ten title game.
Fox (KTVI, Channel 2 locally) joins the shake-things-up crowd, adding a Friday night game throughout the season with contests coming from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West conferences. That schedule kicks off Sept. 13 with Arizona at Kansas State. Illinois appears in the package the following Friday with a game at Nebraska.
NFL news
Key NFL moves this season center on streaming, something the league began to kick into high gear three seasons ago when it shuffled most of its Thursday night games from over-the-air TV to Amazon Prime Video 鈥 where the vast majority of them again will be this year.
The league is adding the Friday night of opening week to its schedule, when it sends the Packers and Eagles to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a game Sept. 6 to be shown on Peacock.
It also will send a Christmas Day doubleheader to Netflix 鈥 Chiefs at Steelers at noon, Ravens at Texans at 3:30 p.m. Because the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the league originally wasn鈥檛 planning to play that day. But money talks, especially to the NFL.
鈥淟ast year at this time, we weren鈥檛 really thinking about Christmas Wednesdays,鈥 NFL Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North told reporters when the games were announced. 鈥淏ut when you saw the viewership numbers that you saw for Christmas for the tripleheader last year and the tripleheader the year before, the fans have spoken. They want the games there, and our broadcast partners want the games there.鈥
There also is a game exclusively streamed on ESPN+ (Chargers-Cardinals on Oct. 21). Plus, Amazon has the Raiders at Chiefs on Black Friday afternoon and will have a wild-card playoff contest.
Up next
Media Views returns Sept. 6.
Join guest Joe Pisapia as he discusses essential fantasy football tips and top picks like Justin Fields and Nico Collins to enhance your NFL draft strategy.
SportsGrid
Q&A: New Mizzou NIL agency CEO Brad Larrondo on school's success, revenue sharing, misconceptions
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COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Talking about the nitty gritty of name, image and likeness while seated in the back of a golf cart parked next to a Missouri preseason football practice, Brad Larrondo is perched between two parts of the college sports world that he knows well.
Larrondo is the new CEO of Every True Tiger Brands, the marketing and branding agency tethered to Mizzou athletics for NIL purposes. The agency, which isn鈥檛 like the NIL collectives seen across most major university athletic departments, is what makes MU鈥檚 model stand out in modern college sports. Every True Tiger is behind the MU-branded cookies, pizzas and ice cream available in grocery stores around Missouri.
And Larrondo has recently migrated there from the Missouri football program.
Previously, Larrondo was an assistant director of athletics at Mizzou, also carrying the title of director of football external relations and recruiting. He has worked closely with football coach Eli Drinkwitz 鈥 the two first met when they overlapped at Boise State nearly a decade ago.
Just after starting his new role, Larrondo sat down with the Post-Dispatch in the aforementioned golf cart to talk about what makes Mizzou鈥檚 NIL operation successful, how the onset of revenue-sharing will impact it and what fans misunderstand when it comes to compensating athletes. Answers have been edited some for clarity.
P-D: What prompted you to move from the football program to , and what did that process look like? What excites you about the change?
Larrondo: Well, I would say that, in the world we鈥檙e living in right now in college athletics, NIL is such an instrumental and critical component of how you build programs and make sure that you鈥檙e competitive at the highest level. I鈥檝e got a background in external relations, fundraising, marketing, sponsorships and then obviously the internal, working side of roster management and recruiting within a high-level football program.
Being able to be representative of what that takes for coaches and be able to assist them, whether it鈥檚 football or any other sport in our department, along with my external background, my ability to get out, make relationships, meet people and create effective branding and marketing campaigns really is what was attractive. It鈥檚 certainly one of those areas that is so critical to a program鈥檚 health that I just felt like I could make an impact in that way, continue to build what we鈥檙e doing at Mizzou, continue to keep all of our teams and athletes, that experience, that competitiveness to win championships, keep that rolling.
P-D: What will your day-to-day work look like as Every True Tiger鈥檚 CEO?
Larrondo: I think there鈥檚 really three or four main components of it. First and foremost is, as an NIL branding agency, we need to make sure that we have ironclad, buttoned-up contracts with the student-athletes that are on NIL, that they are performing activities to receive those payments. And then at the end of the month or whenever they get their payment, that they are able to be compensated for their name, image and likeness that we have the opportunity, through the contract, to utilize and to promote 鈥 and to help them build their brands. So operationally, you鈥檝e got to make sure all those things are dialed in with compliance, how we鈥檙e doing that, that they complete their activities and that they receive their NIL payments.
From there, you also want to be able to look at other revenue-generating opportunities. Are there some other businesses or individuals that want to get involved with NIL and utilize student-athletes in that regard, for their name, image and likeness, and how do you go and do business development that way? 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 an educational component of it. We鈥檙e doing a disservice to our student-athletes if we don鈥檛 also teach them things that go along with how NIL works. That can be everything from financial literacy to how to do their taxes to how they use social media. They鈥檙e all in an entrepreneurial stage and they鈥檙e in some ways running their own business, so how do you put them in a position to be successful, brand themselves, make those connections and be able to utilize that 鈥 not just right now but down the road when they鈥檙e done playing their sport at Mizzou or they鈥檝e graduated from Mizzou and then move on to a professional area. How do we make them more professional?
And then I think the last component is: How do we get the word out about what Every True Tiger is and what it means to Mizzou athletics, the University of Missouri, the state of Missouri and what we鈥檙e trying to do, how impactful NIL can be for the student-athletes and how they can participate in that if they desire to do so. A lot of it is some of that, the PR, the community relations that you try to do in getting that Every True Tiger message out there.
P-D: Why is the 鈥淢izzou model鈥 for NIL so respected in the industry?
Larrondo: First and foremost, you鈥檝e got all-in buy-in from university leadership, from what the state legislators were able to do with the legal side of it 鈥 the laws of the state of Missouri 鈥 so you鈥檝e got some synergy that way, from state leaders to university leaders. And then the coaches understand the importance of it with their sports and how it can impact the student-athlete experience and the recruiting of athletes to the state of Missouri. We鈥檝e figured out a model that has been really, really good.
罢丑别谤别鈥檚 some things that you have to continue to evolve with the model so it can become even more self-sustaining. We鈥檙e very fortunate that we have top-level people that have put some emphasis on what NIL means to the student-athletes of Missouri. How can we go out and execute it and utilize their name, image and likeness of these student-athletes, not only to develop their own business opportunities but also be able to promote things that can drive revenue for Missouri athletics, that can promote different activities around Missouri?
And becoming more of a branding agency than just a collective that鈥檚 out there collecting money and then distributing it. It鈥檚 much more tactical and strategic on how we approach how we鈥檙e educating and developing these student-athletes and utilizing NIL as an opportunity for them to really get what the true meaning of NIL is, which is brand yourself, align yourself with a project, a company, an opportunity, and then complete the work that does that and get paid for that.
P-D: Do you see that model evolving as revenue-sharing takes effect across college sports?
Larrondo: I think there鈥檚 a lot of unanswered questions about how that鈥檚 all going to come down. 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 a lot of things that still have to play out. I don鈥檛 think that the toothpaste is ever going to go back in the tube on what this is, so you鈥檙e constantly looking at and studying and trying to strategize on where does NIL fit with revenue sharing? How does revenue sharing in its entirety fit within what athletic departments鈥 visions are? How does that affect an Every True Tiger Brands or Collective A, B and C from other schools? Where does that all go? I don鈥檛 think we have the answer to that.
I think the one thing we do know is that it鈥檚 coming, and you know it鈥檚 going to happen. Even if there is revenue sharing plus NIL and you put it all into one category, student-athletes are going to be able to continue to benefit and receive compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness. You have to be prepared to set up a system that helps execute that in the best way, compliance-wise, legally, and that they鈥檙e maintaining the activities that they do to earn that money. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e trying to do every single day is make sure that we run a very clean operation that understands the objectives for educating our student-athletes, what they have to do to be compensated and how that fits in with the coach and roster management in this day and age of revenue sharing, NIL, transfer portal, all these things that are happening 鈥 and also be able to go out to their field, their court, whatever it is, and put a competitive product on the floor. That鈥檚 a lot for a head coach to have on their plate.
P-D: How does the $22 million revenue-sharing cap compare to how much is already out there in the NIL universe for a school like Missouri?
Larrondo: You see that kind of number, and that is a big number for any school to have to adjust to. There are probably situations or things you read about where there are some large NIL deals, but by and large, most schools are probably not approaching that kind of money from strictly going NIL.
Now, when you throw revenue sharing into it, that is a sizable amount of money going back to student-athletes, and then when you have the potential of NIL on top of that and how it all plays out, you鈥檙e going to see that over the course of the next two, three, four or five years, that number could be over $22 million.
Not every school is going to be able to do that. Schools are going to have to figure out what鈥檚 the best model for them and how do they get to the point where they can still be competitive in the marketplace and the league that they鈥檙e in. Everybody forgets that鈥檚 a cap. That鈥檚 not a floor. You鈥檝e got to figure out where that cap goes and what you can do and how you can make it work.
That鈥檚 where, collectively, between Tiger Scholarship Fund, Mizzou Sports Properties, Every True Tiger, the revenue-generating sources that are in and around and surrounding Mizzou athletics, how do we help crack that nut? How do we make it sustainable so that we can have success with these student athletes on and off the field?
P-D: Contracts have been a subject of conversation, at least outside of the industry, with ways that the transfer portal could be worked into them or clauses, , about fines for athlete arrests. Are those pieces that are in contracts now? That you鈥檇 like to see? What do you see as the path forward there?
Larrondo: Every school is going to be different on how they approach things. I think you have to be very careful with how contracts are written up and what they鈥檙e doing because the No. 1 concept is: You have to have the student-athletes as an independent contractor to be able to perform the activities. That doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean they are employees receiving benefits or anything that way because they are not 鈥 they are independent contractors, and they鈥檝e got to be able to perform the activities and duties in order to receive the compensation.
That鈥檚 the No. 1 thing for us at Every True Tiger is that we鈥檙e able to set that contract up, they鈥檙e able to execute the deals that are put in front of them. They do it, we upload it, we make sure that all of it is handled accordingly and then they receive their payment. All the other stuff in between it, those are things that are pretty private, things that we don鈥檛 really want to get out into the open, and honestly, we鈥檒l have to continue to face and deal with over the next 12, 18, 24, 36 months as you see some of this evolve and where does that landscape end up at.
P-D: 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 of the NCAA establishing a clearinghouse for NIL deals worth more than $600 to in order to vet those arrangements. Good idea? Bad idea?
Larrondo: Everybody鈥檚 trying to put guardrails around how this works. Any time you try to put guardrails, there鈥檚 going to be some people that like it, some people that don鈥檛. 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 going to be unintended consequences that come up.
I think that at the end of the day, the NCAA is trying to figure out how they can properly monitor this type of deal. If schools are doing it the right way and these are actually legitimate opportunities and student-athletes are completing the tasks that are assigned to it and they鈥檙e through businesses, they鈥檙e through corporations, they鈥檙e through legitimate things 鈥 just like we鈥檙e doing with Every True Tiger, just like our model is set up 鈥 then it really won鈥檛 have an impact on us that way.
P-D: Last question. What do you think is the biggest misconception out there about Missouri and NIL?
Larrondo: Well, I think it鈥檚 really just educating people. A lot of people hear those three letters, N-I-L, and they kind of have a basis or an understanding of it. But the reality is sometimes you鈥檒l read stories about crazy things that are happening and the amount of money out there, and that鈥檚 not always the reality. That鈥檚 a small percentage of what happens in this.
A large percentage of it is probably, 95%, 98% of these student-athletes really value their educational opportunity, getting a scholarship, being able to participate at a high, high level in the SEC in their collegiate sport 鈥 and also be able to monetize themselves through their name, image and likeness and do it the right way and do it so that it helps them earn a little bit of money right now, which is the intent of the rule change.
Also, those connections help set them up for life. I think being able to tell those athletes鈥 stories, the impact it can have them as student-athletes, anywhere from 18 to 22, 23 years old at a very critical juncture of their life where they鈥檙e trying to set themselves up, they鈥檙e trying to build their future, that鈥檚 the real beauty of what NIL and the true intent of it is. And realize that there鈥檚 a lot more stories on that end than some of the wild ones you see out there on Twitter or in the media.
Read the full transcript of Mizzou beat writer Eli Hoff's sports chat
Bring your Tigers football, basketball and recruiting questions, and talk to Eli Hoff in a live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Transcript
Eli 贬辞蹿蹿:听Hi all, and welcome to another Mizzou chat. Feel free to drop any questions you've got about preseason camp, takes you want out in the world, or whatever else is on your mind. One programming note for today's chat: A handful of player interviews are scheduled for noon, so I'll be ducking over to the stadium and back around that time. Rest assured that I'll get questions answered, though, so drop them in at any time. I'll keep the chat open 'til about 2 p.m. today because of that gap.
I do want to make sure one story is on your radar: This morning, my projections for Mizzou's full two-deep (plus some) depth chart went online. It's 3,000 words of what I've seen and heard during camp, so I think it's worth your time if you want to get the full picture of how this year's Missouri team is stacking up.
Also, I'll tease a story that will be coming your way tomorrow: I sat down with Brad Larrondo, who's the new CEO of Every True Tiger Brands 鈥 Mizzou's NIL agency. I know a lot of y'all have questions about how NIL works, and we talked a lot about both MU's current model and where things could be headed. Keep an eye out for that tomorrow.
惭骋:听How does Mizzou's NIL risk compare to other SEC institutions? Are they more or less aggressive?
贬辞蹿蹿:听Risk is tough to evaluate. There's inherent risk in investing significant chunks of money into young people whose brains aren't fully developed yet. It's even true of pro athletes. Things happen. I don't think Mizzou is overly or underly risky when it comes to being willing to compensate players. One thing you'll see in tomorrow's Q&A is that they're diligent about making sure players uphold their end of NIL bargains. The idea of "legitimate NIL" vs. "pay to play" is emerging more often, and Mizzou wants to be sure it can fall in the former and avoid suggestions of the latter. That's the safe route. But in general, MU's model to shift from reliance on a collective and instead create a branding agency is quite progressive in the NIL space and one of the like paths forward for a lot of schools.
bigron:聽Eli, appreciate your keeping us up to date on what's happening at Mizzou...where is the men's Bball team as far as what's going on with the pre-season workouts?
贬辞蹿蹿:听The men's basketball team has had some time off recently between the end of summer practices and the start of school (classes start Monday, which you can tell by the platoons of U-Hauls driving around Columbia today). That's not to say there haven't been players in the gym, but organized practices have taken a break. They'll start ramping back up soon. I count 11 and a half weeks until the first game of the season.
尝耻:听I'm devastated for Darris Smith. I was really looking forward to watching him play. Two questions, will he be able to retain his eligibility for this year via medical redshirt? Does this open a pathway for Nwaneri to have a more significant role than expected?
Thanks for your work, Eli. The articles leading up to the season have really gotten me excited. Especially loved the piece on Toriano Pride
贬辞蹿蹿:听Thanks, Lu. Pride is a fun guy to talk to, so I enjoyed writing that piece.聽
Preseason injuries are just horrible. Doesn't matter the team, the player, the sport. You're talking to a Vikings fan who's still grappling with the potential franchise QB of the future missing his entire rookie season after just a few drives in a preseason game... but I won't bog y'all down with my Minnesotan misery.聽
Yes, this should allow Darris Smith to get another year of eligibility, since he won't play a snap this year. If he has NFL ambitions, his goal might not be to use that and instead return next year and parlay that into a decent draft spot, but 2026 will be on the table for him.
It does technically open the pathway for Williams Nwaneri to get more action. There's one fewer player ahead of the freshman in the rotation. That said, I don't think it changes the coaching staff's view of how they want to handle Nwaneri this season. If they're dictating his role off his readiness, they still have that luxury. Johnny Walker Jr., Zion Young, Joe Moore III and Eddie Kelly Jr. can be the four-man rotation, Jahkai Lang can be the reserve (or replace one of those), and then Nwaneri can slot in when they want him to. It's not a need. I go back and forth with how much I think Nwaneri will see the field this year, but I feel confident in saying Smith's injury doesn't actually do a ton to change that probability.聽
骋顿:听You think Burden gets in Heisman talk this year?
贬辞蹿蹿:听Yes, but not seriously. In 2020, Alabama's DeVonta Smith was the first wideout to win the Heisman in a looooong time. Desmond Howard in 1991 had been the last to do it. Smith's season-long stats were 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Not that it was a factor in the Heisman, but Alabama won the CFP that year 鈥 they were the No. 1 seed, so that was clear when the award was handed out.
Can Luther Burden III do that? Probably, but I don't see that happening in reality. I mean, 23 touchdowns is just a wild statistic. That's just under two per game. He's the betting favorite for the Belitnikoff, which goes to the top wide receiver, but it's just difficult for a wideout to win the Heisman. Again, I could see some buzz, but his position diminishes real chances of taking home the big one.
Mizzou Fan:聽Eli - There is a lot of talk, as there should be, about our receivers being the strength of this team. However, we don't seem to mention Brett Norfleet and the upside he has to be an all SEC tight end. Is it because our talent at wide outs and of course Luther Burden? Thank You.
Hoff:聽The breadth of talented wideouts is certainly part of it. Mizzou doesn't necessarily need to have much in the way of a pass-catching tight end with how many other receiving options there are. Of the 352 passes MU threw last season, just 33 of them targeted a tight end. That's 9.4%. The Tigers are bringing back those wideouts, and you assume running backs will remain involved in the passing game, so the math doesn't need to change a whole lot. Every target given to someone is a target taken from, like, four or five other players who you could make the case to get them. That's the challenge facing Kirby Moore this season.
It's going to take Norfleet demanding more targets for him to really get them, I think. And I don't mean pounding his fists in Moore's offense, but showing a reason for him to get them. That's absolutely possible for him to do, and his ceiling remains very high. You just also have to put him in the context of the rest of the talent in this offense.
It's kind of like when people debate who's a top 5 or 7 or 10 quarterback in the NFL. It always seems like people will readily say 9 different guys are a top 7 QB, and that's just not how it works. Mizzou is going to leave talented receiver options without as many targets/touches as they/fans/etc might like to have. That's the nature of this depth, and the definition of a good problem to have.
Ed from Idaho:聽Greetings from Idaho. Do you think our FB defense is good and deep enough to deliver a two loss or less season?
贬辞蹿蹿:听Hello to Idaho! I have been there twice in my life and had both a magical huckleberry milkshake several summers ago and some surprisingly tasty pizza when I was there for a wedding this summer, so I trust you're dining well up there.
I'm going to say I don't know the answer here, which is kind of a cop out, but I'll justify it by saying nobody knows, and anybody who thinks they know doesn't. There are too many newcomers and players in new roles to really know what Missouri is working with defensively, plus a new coordinator. It's not even like watching a scrimmage in preseason camp (which I haven't been able to do, to be clear) would show that much. A fully respectable defense might get beat often by this Mizzou offense just because of the O's talent.
And, to be honest, I don't know when the answer will be clear. Maybe Boston College and a mobile QB test it a little bit, but if Mizzou has learned anything about its defense through those first four games of the season (Murray St., Buffalo, BC, Vanderbilt), it's probably not anything positive. So buckle up for the kind of start to the semester where you don't actually learn anything until October...
叠谤颈补苍:听Hi Eli, thank you for your response to my email a few weeks back. I felt like last year, Missouri was a better team than Old Miss. Considering Missouri has a more experienced and more accomplished QB, along with so many key starters returning, why is Mississippi ranked higher and frankly held in higher regard by more publications over Missouri? And if we're being honest, if Lane Kiffin's last name was Smith, he wouldn't have received so many opportunities after he flopped so hard earlier in his career. Missouri has a big edge on coaching. What am I missing?
贬辞蹿蹿:听The Mizzou-Ole Miss parallels fascinate me. I wrote about that at SEC media days, and it's kind of uncanny in some regards. Brady Cook and Jaxson Dart had remarkably similar stats last year, both teams had the same record, there are even some similarities between the coaching styles of Eli Drinkwitz and Lane Kiffin.聽
That said, I don't really know why the Rebels get buzz that the Tigers don't. My current hypothesis is that it has to do with Missouri having some higher profile losses in Cody Schrader, Darius Robinson and other defensive players. Maybe seeing so much talent depart catches the eye of national folks who gravitate toward the additions that Ole Miss picked up 鈥 though again, even those have similarities to Mizzou. So I don't think you're really missing anything, it's just a byproduct of talking season being what it is. Sometimes the hype train picks up on things it should or shouldn't or gives weight to the wrong ones. Frankly, Drinkwitz and co. might be happier to be in this position. Keeping the "something to prove" motto is a lot easier to do in an underdog role...
叠谤颈补苍:听If you were going to rewrite the conferences to make sense geographically, and for rivalries and other factors I should be considering, who would Missouri be in a conference with and would you have divisions in each conference? And, should there be conference championship games? And would you return the Thanksgiving tradition of Nebraska vs. Oklahoma or is that traditional dead and buried?
Hoff:聽If you're prioritizing rivalries, you're pretty much prioritizing history, which would mean the Big 12. Or really, the Big Eight. If you had Mizzou play those seven schools 鈥 Kansas, K-State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Colorado 鈥 I think people would get their rivalry itch good and scratched. That conference would be too small to make divisions worthwhile and you could easily have every team play every other team, so you might not need a championship game. I think all traditional games should be on the table.聽
You could make the Big 8 a division in a 16-team conference with a Big 12-type footprint that mixes in some SEC/Southwest/Big 12 members for geography's sake 鈥 like Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tech, Baylor, SMU, Rice, TCU 鈥 and then have a few divisional cross-over games to maximize rivalries. That allows Texas-OU to take place, and you could keep Mizzou-Arkansas, if you fancy it.聽
If you're willing to toss aside rivalries, I (and my dad) would love to see Mizzou in the Big Ten (not this new transcontinental version), but I know that won't be a popular take. I just want to see the Tigers play the teams I grew up watching.
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Ten Hochman: Mizzou鈥檚 Luther Burden III with eye-popping ranking on new list
Mizzou football 2024 depth chart projection: Who makes the 2-deep at every position?
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Set aside the X鈥檚 and O鈥檚, for a moment, and give the Jimmies and Joes your full consideration.
Missouri鈥檚 preseason camp has plenty of scheme installation, particularly with a new defensive coordinator in Corey Batoon entering the fold, but the few weeks of practices leading up to the first game of the season are also about personnel.
More specifically, Mizzou is working out which players will see regular playing time in 2024 and which will be positioned as key backups.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz and the rest of the Tigers staff will designate starters, yes, but their mission 鈥 and list of players they鈥檒l use 鈥 leads them deeper into the depth chart than just 11 players on each offense and defense.
鈥淪o much, now, for football is different just because of the rotational amount of players. Really besides quarterback and offensive line, everybody else is playing snap counts,鈥 Drinkwitz said over the weekend. 鈥淚 feel pretty confident that we鈥檙e two deep at just about every position.鈥
Based on the roughly 120 players listed on Missouri鈥檚 roster, Drinkwitz has a number in mind of how many playing-time-ready options he needs to find.
鈥淔or us, it鈥檚 about continuing to establish that competitive depth at special teams and making sure that 35-50 are able and ready to win in the SEC,鈥 he said.
After observing portions of a handful of preseason camp practices and interviews with most of Mizzou鈥檚 assistant coaches and more than a dozen players, the Post-Dispatch is ready to predict the Tigers鈥 depth chart ahead of the 2024 college football season.
This is your position-by-position guide to who鈥檚 likely to play for Missouri this fall, with a couple of asterisks.
First, this is wholly unofficial and based on anecdotal observations from the limited portions of practice that are open to media, which mostly includes individual drills. Interviews and players' past stats were also factored into these determinations. Second, this is a prediction or a projection, not an argument for or against this version of the depth chart.
On to the good stuff.
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook signs autographs after his team鈥檚 Black and Gold spring game on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Quarterback
Starter: Brady Cook, senior
Backup: Drew Pyne, sophomore
This is arguably the biggest difference from Mizzou鈥檚 depth chart at this time last year: Cook is the undisputed starter. That鈥檚 a first for the signal-caller entering his final college season, and his confidence has been palpable during practices. He鈥檚 taking first-team reps himself, and there鈥檚 no talk 鈥 forced or legitimate 鈥 of anyone usurping him for the QB1 role.
Pyne has impressed since arriving in Columbia after a late transfer meant he wasn鈥檛 with the Tigers for spring practices. His experience 鈥 Pyne and Cook are in the same class 鈥 is evident, and his reps have been crisp. Strong scrimmage performances suggest Pyne鈥檚 schematic transition to MU is going well, which makes sense given that working with offensive coordinator Kirby Moore was a selling point for the former Notre Dame and Arizona State quarterback. Should Cook miss time at any point this season, Pyne is the clear QB2 for the Tigers. His preseason has raised his stock for the likely quarterback competition that will precede a Cook-less 2025 season.
Beyond Cook and Pyne, Mizzou鈥檚 quarterback options are tougher to reckon with. Sam Horn, last season鈥檚 backup, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. True freshman Aidan Glover looks more settled since a shaky spring but is inexperienced. JR Blood, a transfer from Southern, is a veteran 鈥 albeit one who hasn鈥檛 played at the Southeastern Conference level. Brett Brown and Tommy Lock have had capable practice reps but weren鈥檛 brought into the team to compete for the starting job.
Mizzou running back Nate Noel practices individual drills during fall camp in Columbia, Mo., on Aug. 2, 2024.
Dominic Di Palermo, Post-Dispatch
Running back
Starters: Nate Noel, senior; Marcus Carroll, senior
Noel and Carroll, who have 1,000-yard seasons on the books at Appalachian State and Georgia State, respectively, transferred to Missouri to be part of an experienced 鈥渢hunder and lightning鈥 backfield tandem. Carroll fits the bruiser role, while Noel flashes more potential on the perimeter and in the passing game. Coaches have compared them to the former MU duo of Larry Rountree III and Tyler Badie. Noel seems to get slightly more first-team reps than Carroll does, though that could be the Tigers trying to limit contact, which is a core part of Carroll鈥檚 game. They seem likely to receive similar workloads at the start of the season, which could evolve as the campaign progresses.
Roberts, who may well have seen a role last season if Cody Schrader had not assembled a record-setting season, has another year of training under his belt. His versatility as both a north-south rusher and a pass-catcher makes him appealing as an RB3. Jones has received more buzz during this preseason than the last, but the running back room is crowded ahead of and around him.
The speed and talent of freshman Kewan Lacy made him one of the jewels of this year鈥檚 recruiting class. Getting up to speed with an SEC program has been a process, and a soft-tissue injury has limited him at times during preseason camp. Austyn Dendy, another true freshman, switched from safety to running back over the weekend. He performed well in a scrimmage but is positioned as an emergency tailback for now.
SMU offensive lineman Marcus Bryant (52) moves to block TCU cornerback Channing Canada (7) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Richard W. Rodriguez
Left tackle
Starter: Marcus Bryant, senior
Backup: Jayven Richardson, sophomore
Bryant and Richardson, transfers from SMU and Hutchinson Community College, respectively, entered preseason camp in a competition for the starting left tackle job. As expected, Bryant won that battle after a week and change. His size fits in at the SEC level, and the Missouri staff recruited him by telling him he was the final piece of the offensive puzzle. While Richardson鈥檚 experience has come mostly at left tackle, he seems like a candidate for the Tigers鈥 swing tackle or 鈥渟ixth man鈥 role, which was occupied by Marcellus Johnson last season. Even with the entire O-line healthy, Richardson could see the field in some six-linemen heavy formations.
Missouri defensive lineman Johnny Walker Jr. (15) tussles with offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) during the team鈥檚 Black and Gold spring game on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Left guard
Starter: Cayden Green, sophomore
Backup: Logan Reichert, redshirt freshman
When Green transferred to MU from Oklahoma, the question was not whether the young lineman would start 鈥 it was where. He spent the spring at tackle, his more natural position in the eyes of some, but Bryant鈥檚 arrival pushed Green to the interior as a means of getting what coaches see as the best five linemen onto the field together. Green and Reichert are the same year, and both hail from the Kansas City area. Reichert, nicknamed 鈥淏ig Show,鈥 remains the heaviest player on the team at 369 pounds (he's also 6-foot-6). His gains over the course of a redshirt season and offseason seem to have centered around refining technique.
Missouri offensive lineman Connor Tollison does push-ups on Aug. 1, 2022聽鈥 the first day of preseason camp in Columbia.聽
Tollison struggled with consistency when it came to snapping the ball this season but didn鈥檛 shy away from those errors, something that has led to better performance through spring and preseason practices. Grading services like Pro Football Focus tab Tollison as one of the best run blockers in the nation at his position. Like with Cook, he鈥檚 unchallenged as a starter this season after defending his position atop the depth chart last year.
Heismeyer has been with the Tigers for the entirety of Drinkwitz鈥檚 coaching tenure but was played almost exclusively on special teams. Wilson鈥檚 snapping work appears to be a newer development. In a pinch, right guard Cam鈥橰on Johnson or freshman Talan Chandler could also be center options.
Right guard
Starter: Cam鈥橰on Johnson, senior
Backup: Curtis Peagler, sophomore
Johnson came to MU from Houston alongside offensive line coach Brandon Jones to push Tollison at center but wound up starting at right guard. Eleven penalties mucked up an otherwise solid first season in the SEC for Johnson. Peagler, who did not make it onto the field in his first two seasons, seems poised to begin pushing those higher up the depth chart for snaps.
Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou (79) is escorted off the field after being ejected from the game during an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Michael Woods
Right tackle
Starter: Armand Membou, junior
Backup: Mitchell Walters, senior
There aren鈥檛 many college football players at any position who are more athletic than Membou. MU strength coach Ryan Russell that Membou has squatted 650 pounds, benched 425 and hit 20 mph running down the field. What does that mean for Mizzou鈥檚 right tackle spot? An easy decision about who to start. Walters was a starter at times in the 2021 and 2022 seasons but has settled into a backup role. He鈥檚 been with the program since 2020, making him a veteran option should the Tigers need him.
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III and coach Eli Drinkwitz embrace after the Tigers won the Cotton Bowl game, beating Ohio State University on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
David Carson Post-Dispatch
Slot wide receiver
Starter: Luther Burden III, junior
Backups: Mekhi Miller, junior; Daniel Blood, sophomore
Does writing Burden鈥檚 name in Sharpie under this position need any justification? The East 50度灰视频 product who鈥檚 landing on preseason All-America teams is one of the best wideouts in the country 鈥 if not the best. His move into the slot last year was productive. Expect Moore to keep Burden moving around so that other teams struggle to consistently cover him the same way.
Miller battled injuries last season but popped up in big ways when he was on the field, including the first touchdown of the 2023 season. Blood leveraged a strong offseason and brings an ability to pick up yards after the catch, which appeals to coaches.
Missouri's wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (1) warms up before the Black and Gold spring game on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Wide receiver
Starters: Theo Wease Jr., senior; Mookie Cooper,聽senior
Both Wease and Cooper chose to come back for another season of college football and reprise their starting roles from last season. The strengths of Wease, a former Oklahoma wideout, in red zone and contested catch situations are well-documented by this point, but he shows a sneaky quickness that can catch opponents by surprise. Cooper, who spent a year at Ohio State before transferring to his home-state school, can run routes out of a variety of locations and will still see a healthy share of targets, even as the third wide receiver on the field.
Johnson鈥檚 freshman season backed up his nickname, 鈥淪peedy,鈥 with the first-year player finding opportunities to burst over the top of the defense for big plays. That kind of role isn鈥檛 going away, but coaches have challenged him to expand his route tree to merit more snaps and targets. Manning has taken first-team reps over Wease and Cooper at times during preseason camp, though that may be a case of load management or experimentation. Still, he has the size to match Wease鈥檚 role and seems likely to get a few targets in his second season.
Freshmen Courtney Crutchfield and James Madison II have impressed at times during preseason camp but face an uphill battle for any significant number of snaps because of the crowded, experienced wideout room.
Missouri tight end Brett Norfleet (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Arkansas during the second half Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Norfleet and Harris have been absent from practices lately as they recover from injuries, though both are expected to return to camp action near the end of this week. Norfleet鈥檚 ascendance during his freshman season flew under the radar, but assuming he takes an expected step forward as a blocker, he should be a consistent starter. What鈥檚 less clear is how many targets will go to him and the Tigers鈥 other tight ends, given the depth and prowess of the team鈥檚 wide receivers.
Stephens has experience but struggled with drops in the back half of last season, eventually leading to Norfleet鈥檚 promotion into a starting role. Harris didn鈥檛 get as much playing time behind that duo but could be a factor this season.
One freshman to watch here: Francis Howell product Jude James has taken more reps with Norfleet and Harris sidelined and is an intriguing H-back-type option. Whether that will make it off the practice field, though, remains to be seen.
Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young practices individual drills with a staff member during fall camp in Columbia, Mo. on Aug. 2, 2024.
Dominic Di Palermo, Post-Dispatch
Defensive end
Starters: Zion Young, junior; Johnny Walker Jr. (joker), senior
Rotation: Joe Moore III, senior; Eddie Kelly Jr., junior
Backups: Jahkai Lang, redshirt freshman; Williams Nwaneri, freshman
Here鈥檚 where the rotational aspect of constructing a depth chart 鈥 and the Tigers鈥 biggest injury of the preseason to date 鈥 come into play. If recent trends hold true, Mizzou will turn to four edge rushers each game, mixing them in and out fairly frequently. Darris Smith, a transfer from Georgia, likely would have been No. 3 in that rotation, but after a season-ending injury, he鈥檚 off the depth chart.
Walker will start once again and play a similar role to last season 鈥 except now his position is called the joker. That means there may be a little bit of pass coverage responsibility from time to time. Young, who transferred from Michigan State, will be the more traditional defensive end.
Moore looks likely to reprise his role as a part of the D-end rotation, and the experience of Georgia Tech transfer Kelly suggests that duo will be the group that comes off the bench. Lang may be younger but has taken some second-team reps during preseason practices, so he may well end up ahead of Kelly. 罢丑别谤别鈥檚 plenty of external demand for in-game Nwaneri reps, but Missouri is not inclined to rush him onto the field. For the time being, playing time given to the freshman would stand to be developmental for him rather than necessary for the team, but Smith鈥檚 injury means this position group has a little less depth to work with.
Missouri defensive lineman Kristian Williams, left, tackles Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl game on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
Defensive tackle
Starters: Kristian Williams, senior; Chris McClellan, junior
Backups: Jalen Marshall, sophomore; Sam Williams, redshirt freshman
For a bit, it seemed like Mizzou might target one more defensive tackle in the transfer portal, but Drinkwitz and Co. are sticking with this group to comprise another likely four-man rotation in the trenches. Williams is the only returning member of last year鈥檚 defensive tackle group and looks to be its leader in terms of snaps. McClellan has SEC experience from his time at Florida, which has helped him take command of the other tackle spot.
Westminster graduate Webb is making the jump from New Mexico State to a much more physical league, which could be quite the transition. Gracial was a highly rated recruit out of St. Charles and now seems poised for playing time after two seasons of limited action. Marshall and Williams have taken reps alongside the second-team defense at times during preseason camp.
Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright stiff arms Missouri Tigers linebacker Chuck Hicks on a run during an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
Middle linebacker
Starter: Chuck Hicks, senior
Backup: Corey Flagg,聽senior
Hicks is back for a whopping seventh year of college football and is a projected starter after filling in for Chad Bailey for most of last season. Hicks brings stability to the core of a defense that鈥檚 otherwise seeing some significant turnover. Flagg transferred in from Miami ahead of spring practice and seems geared for a spot at middle linebacker, though he might find other opportunities when the Tigers want a blitz-prone option in the center of the field.
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) and linebacker Triston Newson (14) stop South Carolina running back Mario Anderson (24) during the second half Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Like with Hicks, Newson saw some significant playing time as a fill-in last season, albeit for Ty鈥橰on Hopper in Mizzou鈥檚 outside linebacker role. Newson will likely be asked to step up his pass-rushing capabilities, but he鈥檚 a sound tackler who has been serviceable in coverage as well. Jacobs, a transfer from South Alabama, seems to have slotted in at the outside position more than the middle. Littlejohn saw some special teams action as a freshman, but that hasn鈥檛 translated to a clear path to defensive playing time this season, barring an injury.
Missouri defensive back Toriano Pride Jr., right, signs a football for fan Hunter Geisler, 7, during the University of Missouri鈥檚 Come Home Tour event on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Chicken N Pickle in St. Charles. The event, for 50度灰视频-based Mizzou fans, featured a panel of players and coaches.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Cornerbacks
Starters: Dreyden Norwood, junior; Toriano Pride Jr., junior
Backups: Nicholas Deloach Jr. redshirt freshman; Marcus Clarke, senior
Norwood and Pride are both new starters, though they鈥檝e both got some experience. Norwood filled in at times last year and was smooth in coverage. He started the Tigers鈥 Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State, setting up his path to a starting role this year. Pride didn鈥檛 see a massive role at Clemson, his first stop, but brings a physicality 鈥 and trash-talking 鈥 to the secondary that has him poised for key snaps in 2024.
Cahokia's Deloach has been one of preseason camp鈥檚 most surprising breakouts, actually splitting first-team reps with Pride during some drills. Clarke is experienced and was a backup cornerback last season, too, but doesn鈥檛 seem to be in the mix for any starts beyond those required by an injury.
Missouri defensive back Daylan Carnell celebrates after causing a fumble that MU recovered in the fourth quarter of the Tigers鈥 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
STAR
Starter: Daylan Carnell, junior
Backup: Sidney Williams Sr., senior
Carnell has become synonymous with Missouri鈥檚 hybrid safety role, which blends secondary and linebacker responsibilities. A pick-six highlighted his 2023 campaign, but this year, Carnell鈥檚 versatility could be one of Batoon鈥檚 most intriguing weapons when it comes to crafting pass coverages and blitzes.
Williams, like the rest of Mizzou鈥檚 safeties, can fill in at a variety of positions but has spent most of preseason camp working with the STAR room.
Missouri defensive back Joseph Charleston, left, drills Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, who had just caught a pass in the second half of a game on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Athens, Ga.聽聽
John Bazemore, Associated Press
Safeties
Starters: Joseph Charleston (field), senior; Marvin Burks Jr. (boundary), sophomore
Backups: Tre鈥橵ez Johnson (field), senior; Caleb Flagg (boundary), junior
Charleston returns the most tackles of any MU defender and retains his starting position from a year ago. Burks (Cardinal Ritter), who earned playing time as a freshman, is a young starter replacing Jaylon Carlies.
Johnson can play either safety position as needed but has tended to replace Charleston when the second team takes the field. Flagg, who was the defensive MVP of Missouri鈥檚 spring game, wasn鈥檛 expected to be a force in the competition for playing time but seems to be the primary backup after impressing in camp.
Missouri鈥檚 Blake Craig (19) prepares to kick during Missouri鈥檚 Black and Gold spring game on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Kicker
Starter: Blake Craig, redshirt freshman
Backup: Nick Quadrini, sophomore
Consistency is the key for Craig, who has the leg to be one of the better kickers in college football but is still settling into making routine kicks look, well, routine. The ball comes off his foot as it should for a kicker. He鈥檚 never attempted a field goal or extra point in a game before. Quadrini has been the second kicker to take the field during camp.
Missouri kicker Luke Bauer, 93, kicks the ball during warmups before the Tigers' game against Arkansas on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com
Jordan Opp
Punter
Starter: Luke Bauer, junior
Backup: Orion Phillips, sophomore
Bauer (De Smet) seems likely to keep the starting job after it was handed to former punter Riley Williams at times last season. The punting competition hasn鈥檛 been a dominant part of preseason camp, but Bauer seems like the more likely option. Both he and Phillips may boot the ball away during the first games of the season, though, if coaches feel a need to continue the battle.
Missouri Tigers long snapper Brett Le Blanc (49) and wide receiver Marquis Johnson (17) celebrate after punting the ball during the second half of a game on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Mizzou defeated South Carolina 34-12. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Long snapper
Starter: Trey Flint, senior
Backup: Brett Le Blanc, sophomore
If you made it this far, congratulations. There doesn鈥檛 seem to be a long snapper battle during camp. Flint, who took over snapping duties last season, looks consistent.
Reacting to Darris Smith injury and the biggest questions facing Mizzou football: Eye on the Tigers
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On this week's episode of the Eye on the Tigers Podcast, Eli Hoff and Ben Frederickson break down a season-ending injury for defensive end Darris Smith and what it means for Missouri's defense. They also ponder key questions facing Mizzou and its College Football Playoff hopes, from defensive transfers to the line of succession at running back to what record will be necessary for a spot in the 12-team CFP.
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Mizzou edge rusher Darris Smith out for 2024 season after practice injury
Missouri Tigers defensive end Darris Smith practices individual drills during fall camp in Columbia, Mo., on Aug. 2, 2024. Smith will miss the entire 2024 season after suffering an injury in practice.
Dominic Di Palermo, Post-Dispatch
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COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Missouri edge rusher Darris Smith will miss the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday鈥檚 practice.
The nature of the junior defensive end鈥檚 injury is not known, but it will keep him sidelined for the full season, the program said Wednesday.
鈥淲e are devastated by the injury to Darris,鈥 Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a statement. 鈥淗e was having an outstanding camp and was poised to have a great year. We will support Darris in his recovery and look forward to him returning stronger than before.鈥
Losing the Georgia transfer is a preseason blow to the Tigers defense, which seemed likely to feature Smith as one its more dangerous pass rushers off the edge. Smith was a probable candidate for a key spot in MU鈥檚 defensive line rotation.
Listed at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds and hailing from Baxley, Georgia, Smith displays the lean build often favored in modern edge rushers.
His injury came during part of a Tuesday morning practice that was open to the media. During a one-on-one drill that resembled a punt coverage player trying to shed a block, Smith was going against another defensive end but stumbled to the Memorial Stadium turf during his rep. He stayed down on the field for a minute or two before being helped toward Missouri鈥檚 locker room, visibly limiting the weight on his left leg.
The likes of Joe Moore III, Eddie Kelly and Jahkai Lang are likely to see bigger roles with Smith out.
