Ad Disclosure
Extreme makeover: Introducing Missouri’s rebuilt defensive line
By Mike Shaw
Published:
Perhaps no other unit in the SEC lost more during the offseason than Missouri’s defensive line.
Just a year after replacing two NFL picks, Missouri again lost two ends to the draft in Shane Ray and Markus Golden. Valued senior defensive tackles Matt Hoch and Lucas Vincent are gone as well. Add in the dismissal of DE Marcus Loud and the loss of DT Harold Brantley to season-ending injuries and you get a defensive line that looks nothing like last year’s sack machine.
But one key member of this unit did return: Craig Kuligowski, Football Scoop’s 2014 Defensive Line Coach of the Year. He almost left to become co-defensive coordinator at Illinois. That he decided to stay is a testament to his relationship with coach Gary Pinkel, but he made that decision when he thought Loud and Brantley would play. Now, the defensive line needs a complete makeover.
If anyone can rebuild this line, it’s Coach Kool. Kuligowski returns for his 14th season with the Tigers in what, given high expectations, may be his toughest assignment yet. He’ll have some unproven talent to work with, but Missouri fans have heard that before.
The key difference in 2015 is the loss of rotational players from last year’s squad, as well as the overall youth of the line.
Immediately, Charles Harris becomes the most experienced and important defensive lineman for the Tigers. He bulked up during the offseason in order to take on the starting role at one end spot. He played in all 14 games last season with four tackles for loss, inserting himself as a talented rotational player who, like Ray and Golden before him, could blossom into a tremendous starter.
Josh Augusta was another rotational player last season, and but the junior nose guard (6-4, 350 pounds) once again faces questions about his weight.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/630170629174505472
Pinkel and the coaching staff wanted Augusta to play more downs last season, but playing three in a row was a difficulty for him. A year later, it looks like staying in shape is still an issue. Augusta is pegged as a starter now, but don’t be surprised if A.J. Logan overtakes him if the “weight issue” doesn’t get resolved.
Opposite Harris is Walter Brady, an incredibly talented redshirt freshman who impressed in the spring. Missouri coaches thought he could see time last season, but he wasn’t ruled academically eligible until late in fall camp and had to take a redshirt. Expect JUCO transfer Marcell Frazier to earn playing time at that end early as well.
Finally, the rest of the interior line begins with Terry Beckner Jr. The Tigers’ top-rated recruit could easily insert himself into significant playing time, especially with the loss of Brantley. He could also get time as a 3-4 end if new defensive coordinator decides to go that route. Rickey Hatley, a junior, is an experienced alternative should Beckner experience growing pains.
Missouri lost all of its biggest names at the position, as well as two projected starters. But the Tigers still have some players there who were hand-selected to become part of the #DLineZou. Don’t expect the unit to fall off a cliff, especially with a veteran back seven behind them.
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
