There’s a Cody Schrader-sized hole in Columbia.
Missouri football enters the 2024 season without one of its all-time greats at running back, as Schrader, who set the Tigers’ single-season record with 1,627 rushing yards last season, heads to the NFL on an undrafted free agent deal to the San Francisco 49ers.
Schrader was more than just a tailback. His story — Division-II transfer to walk-on to starter to top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting — was the focal point of MU’s tremendous 2023, when the Tigers went 11-2 and beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. That’s an even bigger task to replace.
For now, the Tigers might just want to focus on recouping the on-field production. And Eli Drinkwitz’s team made some encouraging headway on that front over the offseason.
Here is how Missouri’s running back room looks heading into fall camp. Every scholarship player and any notable walk-on is mentioned:
The options for Missouri football at running back
Starters: Marcus Carroll, sr.; Nate Noel, sr.
Reserves: Jamal Roberts, so.; Tavorus Jones, so.; Kewan Lacy, fr.;
Georgia State transfer Marcus Carroll and Appalachian State newcomer Nate Noel are expected to be the frontrunners for the starting duties entering fall camp. The spring was not enough time for the Tigers’ coaches to settle on a starter, instead opting to take the battle further into the preseason.
There is also the option, MU running backs coach Curtis Luper said in the spring, for the Tigers to split reps at the position, a la Tyler Badie and Larry Rountree in 2020.
Jamal Roberts is likely the next man up. The redshirt freshman out of St. Louis made reserve or special teams appearances for Mizzou against Kentucky and Arkansas last season and has shown flashes in practices of being a future starter for MU.
Tavorus Jones is entering his third season with Missouri…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/replacing-schrader-missouri-football-running-091902054.html
Author : Columbia Daily Tribune
Publish date : 2024-07-24 09:19:02
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