Missouri football defensive back Phillip Roche is no longer with the program, a team spokesperson confirmed to the Tribune on Thursday. It was not immediately clear why Roche is no longer on the roster or whether the safety intends to enter the transfer portal or not.
Roche, a Crown Point, Indiana, product, played 21 games for the Tigers over two seasons, with most of his snaps on defense coming as a true freshman in 2023. Roche played 10 games this season, appearing in every matchup — mostly as a special teams member — until the Tigers' win at Mississippi State last Saturday, per the participation chart on the Missouri athletics website.
The safety had nine tackles, one sack and a forced fumble during his freshman campaign.
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In July, Roche was arrested for a failure to appear charge for multiple speeding violations. At the time, MU coach Eli Drinkwitz said the sophomore would not be suspended and said the team would handle any disciplinary measures internally. Roche had been charged with three Class B misdemeanors, all for exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph.
The college football transfer portal opens nationwide Monday, Dec. 9. Some players may announce their intent to enter the portal before that date, but that is the official marker for when the NCAA can begin processing players' intent to transfer. The portal will remain open for nearly three weeks until Dec. 28
The Tigers are set to be a little bit light at safety, where Roche had carved out a reserve role as a rookie. At the end of this season, senior safeties Joseph Charleston, Tre'Vez Johnson and Sidney Wiliams Sr. will run out of eligibility.
That likely will make safety a top portal priority for the Tigers in the upcoming month.
Roche is the first confirmed departure from the Missouri roster ahead of the upcoming offseason.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football DB Phillip Roche leaves program, spokesperson confirms
