Missouri’s defense is heading into a makeover, but the program isn’t starting from scratch.
Under coordinator Corey Batoon, the Tigers have been a steady force on that side of the ball, finishing 17th nationally in total defense in 2024 and then jumping to 8th in 2025. Now the challenge is replacing a bunch of key pieces from the offseason while getting immediate production from a transfer class that was built to help right away.
The secondary is where Missouri did a lot of its portal work, and the names stand out. Notre Dame safety JaDon Blair, Michigan cornerback Elijah Dotson, and Oregon cornerback Jahlil Florence all arrive from major programs, and each came out of high school as a highly rated prospect. All three were former four-star recruits and ranked inside the Top 150 nationally in their classes.
At linebacker, Auburn transfer Robert Woodyard Jr. is expected to play a major role next to Nicholas Rodriguez Jr. He’s in that same bucket too: a former four-star recruit with a Top 150 national ranking who may just need a new setting to show what he can do.
That’s the crux of the question around Missouri’s defense this season. The Tigers added talent, but which of these new faces will actually make the biggest impact under Batoon?
That’s the question fans are weighing in on in the latest SBN Reacts survey: Which defensive transfer will make the biggest impact for Mizzou Football this season?
The options are Robert Woodyard Jr., Jadon Blair, Elijah Dotson, and Jahlil Florence.
In Other News...
Missouris Backfield Picture Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Missouris preseason media day brought a little more clarity to a backfield that already had plenty of moving parts. Running backs coach Curtis Luper spent his Q&A session talking through the groups depth and the different ways the Tigers can piece it together, with Ahmad Hardys recovery, Jamal Roberts place in the room and newcomer Xai'Shaun Edwards all factoring into the conversation as camp approaches.
The most pressing question is how quickly Hardy can get back into the mix after his offseason setback, while Roberts decision to stay gives Missouri another experienced option to lean on. Edwards is the name that adds a fresh wrinkle, though, and Lupers comments suggested the Tigers like what they have seen from his prior production and work ethic as they sort out what this rotation is going to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Blake Craigs Return Puts Mizzous Biggest Special Teams Question Front And Center
Blake Craigs return gives Missouri something it sorely lacked over the second half of 2025: a proven kicker with a track record the Tigers can trust. Craig was lost early in the season to a knee injury and spent the rest of the year watching a kicking game that never really found its footing, with the Tigers struggling to cash in from distance when drives stalled near scoring range.
The timing matters even more now because the backdrop at Memorial Stadium is changing, too. With construction work reshaping the North end zone area, Missouris special teams staff has to sort through a new set of kicking conditions while also figuring out how to reintegrate Craig after a year away. For a team that already learned how much hidden yardage and reliable kicking can swing a season, its an issue that will linger well into 2026. [Read more 🡒]