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Columbia Daily Tribune
Projecting Mizzou football's first defensive depth chart of 2024
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- Projecting Mizzou football's first defensive depth chart of 2024
Do as they say, not as they do.
Missouri football began its Tuesday morning practice in unorthodox fashion: With defensive coaches and offensive coaches running a two-point play.
Mizzou's defensive assistants quickly put their colleagues under pressure. Missouri quarterbacks coach turned makeshift QB Sean Gleeson was sent scrambling right immediately after the snap, before eventually sending a hope-and-prayer pass incomplete to the back of the end zone, where Missouri's defensive players were lined up and soon celebrating.
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But the play wasn't exactly clean. The defensive coaches, a team spokesperson soon clarified amid the jubilation and subsequent protests, had 14 — yes, 14 — players on the field.
When the coaches are back on the sideline and, presumably, sending 11 men out to defend opposition offenses in the 2024 campaign, who are Mizzou fans likely to see suit up?
With just a little more than two weeks remaining until Mizzou begins its new campaign against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29 on Faurot Field in Columbia, the Tribune is taking a stab at a projected depth chart.
Here is who we think are the starters (limited to the traditional, rule-abiding 11), the main rotational pieces and the reserves on Missouri's 2024 defense under first-year defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. All scholarship players, and any notable walk-ons, are listed:
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More: Why linebacker Corey Flagg stuck with Missouri football commitment through DC change
Here's who looks set to be Missouri football 's starters at defensive tackle
The starters: Kristian Williams , sr.; Chris McClellan , jr.
Main rotation:Sterling Webb, jr.; Marquis Gracial , so.
The reserves:Jalen Marshall, so.; Sam Williams , r-fr. Elias Williams, fr.; Justin Bodford, fr.
With one returning starter and two promising portal additions, the question for the defensive tackles was who would be the fourth player to round out the two-deep.
As of Tuesday, St. Louis native Marquis Gracial appears to be the frontrunner for significant reps. Jalen Marshall is, from best assessment, right behind him.
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Team captain Kristian Williams and Florida transfer Chris McClellan are almost certainly the starters when the season begins, having taken all observable reps with the first-team defense in camp. New Mexico State newcomer Sterling Webb seems likely to be the first man up in MU's two-deep.
The last spot does appear to still be competitive, and probably will be throughout the season. For now, Gracial has the lead.
More: Meet 'massive' Chris McClellan, Missouri football's potentially pivotal new defensive tackle
Defensive ends
The starters:Johnny Walker Jr., sr.; Zion Young, jr.
Main rotation:Joe Moore III, sr.; Jakhai Lang, r-fr.
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The reserves: Williams Nwaneri , fr.; Eddie Kelly, jr.; Jaylen Brown , fr.; Darris Smith (Out, injury), jr.
Johnny Walker Jr. is going to head the newly implemented 'Joker' role, which will function as the team's primary pass rusher but also a player defensive end who, from time to time depending on the situation, will drop back into coverage.
Michigan State transfer Zion Young has taken all first-team reps opposite Walker as the boundary-side edge rusher.
Georgia transfer Darris Smith was ruled out of the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday's team practice, the team announced Wednesday morning.
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Jakhai Lang, even before Smith's injury was announced, had seemingly played his way into the conversation for reps, taking plenty of turns with the team's second-string unit during camp. Five-star freshman Williams Nwaneri has mostly run with the 3s, but now seems likely to be in the mix for reps early in his MU career.
With Smith's injury, Georgia Tech transfer Eddie Kelly and true freshman are Jaylen Brown could see more action than originally anticipated.
More: 'Not normal': Darris Smith brings size, speed to Missouri football defensive end room
Linebackers
The starters: MLB: Chuck Hicks , sr.; OLB:Triston Newson, sr.
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Main rotation:Corey Flagg, sr.; Khalil Jacobs, jr.
The reserves:Brayshawn Littlejohn, r-fr.; Jeremiah Beasley, fr.; Brian Huff, fr.; Nicholas Rodriguez, fr.; Will Norris , sr.
Chuck Hicks, a newly named team captain who is entering his seventh season of college football, has had a very impressive camp, and looks like he'll be a veteran presence starting at Mike linebacker. Triston Newson, Hicks' fellow starter in the Tigers' Cotton Bowl win, appears to be the frontrunner for starting honors as the outside linebacker.
South Alabama transfer Khalil Jacobs and Miami newcomer Corey Flagg will each feature frequently. When Newson missed a practice in the middle of the second week of camp, Jacobs stepped into his role with the 1s, meaning Flagg is likely the next man up at middle linebacker.
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Brayshawn Littlejohn has taken some practice reps with the second-team in camp, and could step into a playing role this year. Jeremiah Beasley has earned some praise from Drinkwitz, but seems more likely to feature on special teams as a rookie.
More: Here's why cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. chose to 'come home' to play for Missouri football
Cornerbacks
The starters:Drey Norwood, sr.; Toriano Pride, jr.
Main rotation:Nicholas DeLoach, r-fr.; Marcus Clarke , sr.
The reserves:Shamar McNeil, r-fr.; Ja'Mariyon Wayne, so.; Cameron Keys, fr.; Jaren Sensabaugh, fr.
Nicholas DeLoach has been one of the surprises of preseason, seemingly working his way into the conversation for first-team reps.
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Still, the Tribune expects Mizzou to run with Dreyden Norwood and Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. out of the gates. DeLoach and Marcus Clarke are currently the most likely to back them up.
Cameron Keys has earned some praise from teammates and coaches during camp, but is likely still a little further down the depth chart.
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (12) is hit out of bounds by Missouri Tigers defensive back Daylan Carnell (13) during the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium.
Safeties
The starters: Free:Joseph Charleston, sr.; Strong:Marvin Burks Jr., so.; Star:Daylan Carnell, sr.
Main rotation:Sidney Williams Sr., sr.; Tre'Vez Johnson, sr.; Caleb Flagg , jr.
The reserves:Phillip Roche, so.; Trajan Greco, fr.; Jackson Hancock, fr.
Another surprise from spring and fall camp has been preferred walk-on Caleb Flagg, who has consistently worked with the second-team.
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Joseph Charleston and Daylan Carnell are as close to iron-clad starters as they come, each with multiple years of experience at Missouri in their respective roles. Marvin Burks Jr. is taking over at strong safety after a standout freshman year as a backup to JC Carlies.
This is one of the Tigers' deeper rooms, especially in terms of experience. Sidney Williams Sr., Tre'Vez Johnson, Flagg and Phillip Roche each have positional flexibility and aren't tied to a singular spot in the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football: Projectiong first defensive depth chart of 2024
