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There’s a whole lot of “new” in Columbia this fall, and not just because the college town is finally getting a Chick-fil-A.
Gary Pinkel and Missouri are trying to fit a lot of new pieces into the depth chart as fall camp comes to a close. The receivers and linebackers are virtually brand new, while other personnel groups remain intact from last year’s 11-3 team.
Still, even if it’s impossible for some starters to be displaced (read: Michael Scherer), it doesn’t mean movement can’t occur across the depth chart between now and the end of camp. Pinkel isn’t leaving Columbia anytime soon, and even those who are just backups this season could play key roles in future years.
Here’s a glance at our projection for the post-fall camp two-deep:
OFFENSE (SPREAD)
QB1: Maty Mauk
QB2: Eddie Printz
One of Missouri’s deepest positions, the backup quarterbacks have been the talk of training camp because of how well they’ve performed. Mauk is going to start, and Printz should serve as backup, but Missouri fans are getting excited for potential packages with Marvin Zanders and Drew Lock. Oh, and Corbin Berkstresser, who has SEC starting experience, is sitting pretty behind the pack.
RB1: Russell Hansbrough
RB2: Morgan Steward
Unlike last year, the Tigers should start the season by giving Hansbrough the majority of the carries. They’ll want to ease the injury-prone Steward into a backup role. Look for Ish Witter and Tyler Hunt to contribute as well should the passing game stutter.
X WR1: J’Mon Moore
X WR2: DeSean Blair
Z WR1: Wesley Leftwich
Z WR2: Keyon Dilosa
H WR1: Nate Brown
H WR2: Thomas Richard
TE1: Sean Culkin
TE2: Jason Reese
Speaking of the passing game, a big reason it could stutter is because of the limited experience of Missouri’s receivers. Just three of the wideouts have completed a reception in a game. Look for Culkin and Reese to get plenty of playing time to ease the offense’s learning curve. Missouri offensive coordinator Josh Henson, who also coaches tight ends, is excited about those two.
LT1: Connor McGovern
LT2: Clay Rhodes
LG1: Taylor Chappell
LG2: Alec Abeln
C1: Evan Boehm
C2: Adam Ploudre
RG1: Mitch Hall
RG2: Brad McNulty
RT1: Nate Crawford
RT2: Malik Cuellar
Offensive line coach A.J. Ricker has been extremely high on Nate Crawford, a converted defensive lineman who sits atop the depth chart at right tackle. Missouri coaches have been trying Alec Abeln some at guard as a way to get the talented backup center more scrimmage time. That’s because Evan Boehm isn’t going anywhere.
DEFENSE (4-3)
DE1: Charles Harris
DE2: Spencer Williams
DT1: Josh Augusta
DT2: Rickey Hatley
DT1: Terry Beckner Jr.
DT2: A.J. Logan
DE1: Marcel Frazier
DE2: Walter Brady
Harris is really the only sure thing when it comes to Missouri’s defensive line, which is in a huge rebuild after losing Shane Ray, Markus Golden, Marcus Loud and Harold Brantley (the latter to injury). We’re also not completely convinced that new defensive coordinator Barry Odom doesn’t throw out some 3-4 packages, in which case defensive tackle could be a revolving door.
SAM1: Donavin Newsom
SAM2: Clarence Green
MIKE1: Michael Scherer
MIKE2: Eric Beisel
WILL1: Kentrell Brothers
WILL2: Joey Burkett
The deep linebacker group could benefit from a base change, but as it stands Missouri will look to benefit from Brothers off the weak side and Scherer controlling the defense in the middle. Donavin Newsom has finally lived up to his promise during fall camp, and looks to overtake last year’s starter Clarence Green on the strong side. The two should rotate heavily, though.
CB1: Kenya Dennis
CB2: John Gibson
CB1: Aarion Penton
CB2: Logan Cheadle
SS1: Anthony Sherrils
SS2: Cortland Browning
FS1: Ian Simon
FS2: Thomas Wilson
Three of the four secondary players are returning starters, Anthony Sherrils the lone exception. Cortland Browning is fairly capable of playing immediately, but Mizzou coaches are excited about Sherrils’ athleticism.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Andrew Baggett
P: Corey Fatony
KR: Aarion Penton, John Gibson
PR: Ray Wingo
Mike Shaw is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Follow Mike on Twitter @michaelvshaw
