Mizzou Finds Promise Throughout Various Position Groups After First Four Days of Fall Camp
The Missouri Tigers have roared into fall camp with a palpable energy that’s turned heads across Columbia. After just four days of intense practices under the August sun, head coach Eli Drinkwitz appears to be sitting on a deeper and more versatile roster than in previous seasons — and that optimism is bleeding through every position group.
At quarterback, sophomore sensation Jalen Strong — a factual mid-year enrollee with a cannon for an arm and ice in his veins — has already started closing the gap on projected starter Brady Cook. During Tuesday’s red-zone drill, Strong fired a dart between two defenders to tight end Marcus Shaw for a touchdown that brought the sideline to life. While Cook’s leadership and system knowledge remain valuable, the coaching staff is intrigued by Strong’s poise and raw talent, hinting at a potential QB controversy brewing in the coming weeks.
The running back room is looking like a strength, especially with the emergence of fictional freshman Kentrell Mays, a 5’10”, 205-pound bruiser out of St. Louis. Mays has drawn early comparisons to former Mizzou standout Tyler Badie — with a slightly more aggressive downhill burst. Mays broke off a 40-yard touchdown run on Monday, bouncing off two defenders before outrunning the safeties to the end zone. Veteran Nathaniel Peat has welcomed the competition, and together they may form a thunder-and-lightning duo with real SEC punch.
The wide receiver corps has quietly become one of the deepest units on the team. Luther Burden III continues to play like a future first-round pick, but the surprise has been junior transfer Alex Devereaux — a fictional 6’3″ route technician from a Division II powerhouse who’s made the jump seamlessly. In one-on-one drills, Devereaux burned top cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. on a double move, drawing cheers from a sideline packed with scouts and media.
On defense, the linebacker group is emerging as the heart of the team. Chad Nwosu, a redshirt sophomore from Kansas City, has taken a massive leap in development. His instincts during inside run drills have been uncanny — slicing into backfields before plays even unfold. Next to him, senior leader Ty’Ron Hopper brings experience and edge, making them one of the more dynamic linebacker tandems in the SEC East.
Perhaps most notably, the defensive line looks deeper and nastier than ever. Darius “Tank” Freeman, a fictional JUCO transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been nearly unblockable in interior drills. His 6’5″, 315-pound frame and relentless motor drew comparisons to Sheldon Richardson from defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Paired with returning veterans like Johnny Walker Jr., this line could anchor a top-20 defense.
Even special teams have shown flashes — with new kicker Marco Velez drilling a 57-yarder into a slight wind on Day 2. While it’s still early, the foundation being laid suggests a Mizzou team not just looking to compete, but to shock the conference.
With ten days until the first scrimmage, the early takeaway from fall camp is clear: this isn’t the same old Tigers team. This squad has bite — and the SEC may soon feel it.
