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Spring camp is just a day away for Missouri football.
Mizzou begins its spring practices Friday, which will mark the start of Corey Batoon’s second season as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Missouri fielded the 20th-ranked defense nationally last season, allowing 20.4 points per game.
The Tigers added nine new players on the defensive side of the ball out of the transfer portal during the offseason, many of whom look likely to fill open roles. Due to graduation, the Tigers will be replacing eight starters and key players in the rotation on defense from the team that went 10-3 and won the Music City Bowl last season.
With spring camp on deck, here is one question facing every position on the Tigers’ defense as the team begins its offseason practices:
Missouri football’s defensive ends: Is room as deep as it looks?
It’s an odd suggestion to say the room that’s losing its leading producer (Johnny Walker Jr.) — and two freshman blue-chip talents (Williams Nwaneri, Jaylen Brown) — could be the deepest on the team.
But, there’s a claim to be made for Mizzou’s defensive ends entering the 2025 season.
Zion Young will return and likely keep his starting role at the field end position. If former Georgia transfer Darris Smith can return from a 2024 season-ending knee injury sustained in August, that will feel like a new transfer. Eddie Kelly Jr. and Jakhai Lang both had impressive moments when called upon last season.
And look at what Mizzou is adding. Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II is 247Sports’ No. 2-ranked overall transfer in this cycle; Javion Hilson is a top-50 prospect in his signing class; and Appalachian State transfer Nate Johnson is a former freshman All-American
On paper, that’s quite the group battling for reps. Now, will what’s on paper translate to production?
Nov 23, 2024; Starkville,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/missouri-football-spring-camp-one-090447902.html
Author : Columbia Daily Tribune
Publish date : 2025-02-27 09:04:00
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