Missouri’s bye week gave the Tigers a breather, but it also sharpened the picture of how this team is being built on the field. With a five-game stretch ahead to finish the regular season, the snap counts tell a clear story: who the staff trusts, who is climbing, and who still has work to do.
At quarterback, Austin Simmons has been the undisputed workhorse with 453 snaps. Matt Zollers has appeared on 35, while Nick Evers has six and Gavin Sidwar has three.
One note stands out here: entering the season, it was fair to think Zollers might get a look against Troy, but that game stayed close enough that Missouri didn’t go that way. His last action came in Week 2 against Kansas.
The backfield has been dominated by Jamal Roberts, who has logged 388 snaps. Xai'Shaun Edwards is next with 71, followed by Anthony Favrow at 25, Preston Hatfield at six, Malae Fonoti at five and Max Warner at two.
That gap is massive, and Roberts has carried a heavy burden as both runner and pass protector. With Ahmad Hardy now expected back at practice, Roberts should see some relief if the 2025 All-American can return for a game.
Out wide, Donovan Olugbode leads with 368 snaps, but the most interesting wrinkle is the near tie between Naeshaun Montgomery and Cayden Lee, who each sit at 330. Caleb Goodie has 135, Shaun Terry II 110, DaMarion Fowlkes 96, Kenric Lanier II 57 and Noah Flaskamp four. The surprise isn’t just that Montgomery and Lee are level in total snaps - Montgomery has only 29 more run-blocking snaps, and the difference comes largely from how often he’s been sent on routes.
Tight end usage has been more straightforward. Jordon Harris has 252 snaps, Brett Norfleet 182, Jude James 109 and Gavin Hoffman 15.
Harris and Norfleet have shared that room since the 2023 season, and 2024 was the only year Harris out-snapped Norfleet. Norfleet missed the Ole Miss game, but he still would not have been ahead of Harris.
Unless Missouri changes how it uses tight ends in the passing game - which, for now, isn’t much - Harris’ blocking value should keep him on the field.
Up front, Luke Work, Tristan Wilson, Curtis Peagler and Dominick Giudice have all played 454 snaps apiece, with Cayden Green right behind them at 416. Jack Lange has 48, Whit Hafer 43, Colin Sorensen 43, Zack Owens 43, Khalief Canty Jr.
42, Logan Reichert 33 and Ryan Jostes one. The notable piece here is Canty, who has grabbed the second-string guard spot in his true freshman year.
That’s a strong sign for the future of Missouri’s interior, especially with both starting guards and the starting center set to run out of eligibility after the 2026 season.
On the edge, Daeden Hopkins is out in front with 318 snaps, followed by Langden Kitchen at 188, Jaden Jones at 133, Darris Smith at 98, Demarcus Johnson at 62, Kamauryn Morgan at 44, Cavan Tuley at 38 and Aidan Dubbert with one. Hopkins has clearly separated himself, leading the group with seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
Smith was projected to be one of the top names in the room, but injuries have slowed him. If the bye helped him get fully healthy, a jump in snaps would make sense.
Missouri’s defensive line has been the most heavily rotated unit on that side of the ball. Jason Dowell leads with 214 snaps, then Jalen Marshall at 189, Marquis Gracial at 177, Sterling Webb at 173, Donta Simpson at 172, Mark Hensley at 76, Tajh Overton at three and Jadon Frick at one. Dowell leading the group and Simpson producing as a pass rusher are both encouraging signs for a line that was expected to lean senior-heavy.
At linebacker, Nicholas Rodriguez has 384 snaps, Robert Woodyard Jr. 304, Dante McClellan 154, Jeremiah Beasley 110, Brian Huff 23, Bobby Washington Jr. 20 and JJ Bush two.
The rotation looks similar to what Missouri used a season ago, and four linebackers are on track to finish with triple-digit snaps. Rodriguez, a team captain and standout defender, is the clear leader of the group.
Cornerback usage has followed the veteran path. Chris Graves Jr. has 384 snaps, Sione Laulea 364, Jahlil Florence 180, Cameron Keys 25, Nick DeLoach Jr.
22, Jaxson Gates 21 and Ahmod Billins three. The Tigers have leaned on experience here, with three seniors or fifth-year players at the top.
Graves and Laulea have become the top two options, and Florence has settled in as the next man up.
In the secondary, Trajen Greco leads all Missouri defenders with 403 snaps, the only Tiger above the 400 mark. Santana Banner has 389, Elijah Dotson 360, Kensley Louidor-Faustin 249, CJ Bass III 47, Jayden McGregory 40, Jackson Hancock 25, JaDon Blair nine, Brody Jones seven and Carter Stewart three. Greco has had his share of ups and downs, while Dotson and Louidor-Faustin have been used all over the back end.