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Saturday’s open practice offered a 6-foot-2, 231-pound reminder of just what Mizzou football needs to replace.
Walking along the perimeter at Faurot Field, an arm’s length from the white lines he commanded for two years in Columbia, was former linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, visiting after appearing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
He’s far from the only Tiger in Indy.
Five of MU’s defensive starters from 2023 have participated in the combine: Hopper; defensive end Darius Robinson; cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine; and safety JC Carlies.
In total, ten key players from the 2023 Missouri football defense are either Draft-bound or out of eligibility. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker and defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples, Missouri’s nomination for the Broyles Award last season, are both now coaching at LSU.
New defensive play-caller Corey Batoon faces no small challenge replacing lost production in his first year in Columbia.
Here’s an early look at who may headline the depth chart for Missouri’s defense in 2024:
Missouri linebacker Chuck Hicks (30) celebrating after recovering a Tennessee fumble during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Columbia, MO.
Defensive tackles
The starters: Kristian Williams, sr.; Chris McClellan, jr.
The reserves: Sterling Webb, jr.; Marquis Gracial, so.; Sam Williams, r-fr.
Kristian Williams is the lone returner from the four tackles that frequently rotated in and out for MU in the 2023 season. A likely team captain, Williams’ spot in the lineup is all but carved in stone.
Chris McClellan, a new Florida transfer, took reps alongside Williams on Saturday during a special teams drill, perhaps offering a clue at the starting partnership next season.
But interior defensive line coach Al Davis will likely bring a group of four players…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mizzou-football-replace-departed-defensive-090848233.html
Author : Columbia Daily Tribune
Publish date : 2024-03-04 09:08:48
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