Mizzou spent Sunday afternoon on the eve of preseason camp doing what August always demands: answering questions.
With preseason media day set against the backdrop of Faurot Field, Eli Drinkwitz and several of his assistants met with the media before Monday morning’s first practice. For most of Missouri’s assistant coaches, it was the only public chance to hear from them before camp ramps up, and PowerMizzou.com said it spoke with every member of the staff.
Drinkwitz opened by tackling a few of the biggest issues facing the Tigers right away. He gave injury updates on Ahmad Hardy, the right tackle spot and defensive tackle Elias Williams, then dug into the challenge of rebuilding the roster in the transfer portal era. He made it clear Missouri still has plenty to sort out over the next four-and-a-half weeks before the opener against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.
He also talked about Austin Simmons, the defense’s need to replace every starter and a few other key topics during his full opening press conference.
On offense, one of the offseason’s biggest moves was the addition of Chip Lindsey as Missouri’s new offensive coordinator. Lindsey said he’s working to install his system while also adjusting to what Drinkwitz wants and to the talent already on the roster. He also addressed the quarterbacks, the rest of the offensive staff and more.
Garrett Riley is another new face in a major role. Now Missouri’s quarterbacks coach, Riley was Clemson’s offensive coordinator last season and will be responsible for developing Austin Simmons, Matt Zollers and the rest of the Tigers’ quarterbacks. Riley, who previously worked with Drinkwitz at Appalachian State, talked about reuniting with one of his good friends and settling into his new job.
Defensively, Corey Batoon enters camp after guiding Missouri to top 25 national finishes in each of his first two seasons. But this year brings more uncertainty than either of those campaigns did, and Batoon discussed how he plans to handle the holes the Tigers have to fill.
Cornerback may be the most unsettled position group on the roster. Al Pogue addressed the task of replacing the top three corners from last season, along with the three transfer additions, a pair of young returners and even the true freshmen who will get a shot to compete there.
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Mizzou Opens Camp With One Major O-Line Question Already Looming
Missouri football opened fall camp Monday morning with the first practice of the preseason, and the first public look at the Tigers came with the usual mix of installation work, special teams and quarterback reps. The early snapshot also included a notable return on the defensive line, as Sterling Webb was back on the field after the eligibility ruling that had kept him in question entering camp.
The bigger concern, though, may already be settling in along the offensive front. Josh Atkins was not taking part in the media-accessible portion of practice after a lower-leg injury, and his absence adds uncertainty to a spot that had been under competition heading into camp. With the right tackle job still open, Missouris first few weeks of practice now carry a little more weight than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Missouri Just Got A Late Defensive Boost Drinkwitz Isnt Ruling Out
A federal judges ruling on former NCAA eligibility restrictions has given Missouri a late roster wrinkle, and it already has brought one familiar face back into the building. Defensive tackle Sterling Webb has rejoined the Tigers after the decision opened the door for players in the Class of 2022 who finished their college careers in four years to pursue a fifth season, giving Eli Drinkwitz an unexpected defensive reinforcement as the season approaches its stretch run.
Drinkwitz confirmed Webbs return and left open the possibility that Missouri could keep digging through the pool of players affected by the ruling. It is the kind of late-summer roster development that can matter in a hurry for a team trying to patch depth, especially up front, and the Tigers appear willing to see whether there is another fit worth adding at this late date. [Read more 🡒]
Eli Drinkwitz Just Pulled Missouri Into A Huge College Sports Fight
College sports politics have been moving quickly, and Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz has stepped right into the middle of the latest push. The Protect College Sports Act, also known as the Cruz-Cantwell Bill, could soon come up for a Senate vote, with the SEC and Big Ten lining up behind it as part of an effort to steady a system that has felt increasingly unsettled.
The proposal would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, establish a standardized five-year eligibility policy and create an agent registry, all in the name of putting more order around a rapidly changing landscape. Drinkwitz has already voiced support for the bill and praised the senators behind it, putting Missouri in the thick of a debate that could help shape how the sport is governed moving forward. [Read more 🡒]