The student section cheers after getting a printed column from the bottom to the top of the fourth section on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 in Memorial Stadium in Columbia. The fourth section won the challenge, beating the other three sections.
As the season approaches time to highlight Missouri’s key players and matchups
Last season is in the rear view mirror. Now questions arise as to whether Missouri football can carry their past season momentum into this year. Can they survive the challenges of the revamped SEC and punch their ticket into the brand new 12-team College Football Playoff?
Missouri capped off their thrilling 2023-2024 football season defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic 14-3.
From the 61-yard game-winning field goal by Harrison Mevis to knock off Kansas State to the 4th and 17 conversion in their comeback win over Florida, this past season is not one Tigers fans will soon forget.
“Number one core value for us is always to compete. To do it better than it’s ever been done before. So our mentality every single week is to always compete,” said Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz at SEC Media Day.
Here are the key players and dates to watch for as the season begins on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Offense
Missouri Football quarterback Brady Cook is back as the designated day-one starter for the third straight season. Cook is riding high after a career-best 3,636 total yards and 29 touchdowns, Both ranking No. 4 best in the conference.
Cook’s targets will be among the best pass catchers in the league. This group is championed by ESPN preseason All-American and top-rated collegiate wide receiver Luther Burden III. The junior is coming off an inspiring year, racking up 1,243 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Along with Burden, the Tigers return veterans Theo Wease Jr. and Mookie Cooper who combined for over 1,000 total yards in 2023.
Missouri also returns a pair of standout freshmen from last season: receiver Marquis Johnson and tight end Brett Norfleet. Together the first year players totaled over 500 yards and six touchdowns. A freshman to keep your eye on this season is four-star wide receiver and top 50 ranked recruit Courtney Crutchfield.
Drinkwitz was tasked with replacing a 2023 Consensus All American running back and Burlsworth Trophy winner with Cody Schrader’s departure. To fill the void, the Tigers will call on a pair of transfers from the Sun Belt.
Former Appalachian State running back Nate Noel has tallied 3,346 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns across his four seasons with the Mountaineers. He will share reps with Marcus Carroll, the nation’s No. 10 leading rusher from a year ago. In his fourth year with Georgia State, Carroll broke out with a career-high 1,584 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The offensive line returns multiple starters while bringing immediate impact transfers, Cayden Green from Oklahoma and Marcus Bryant from SMU. They will likely get the start along with returnees Connor Tollison, Cam’Ron Johnson and Armand Membou.
Defense
The defense will have a different look as Missouri welcomes new defensive coordinator and two-time Broyles award nominee Corey Batoon. The former South Alabama coordinator is tasked with revamping the defense with a new system after several key departures.
Johnny Walker Jr. has been named in the new “Joker” role — a hybrid edge-rusher — who will fill Darius Robinson’s lead from a year ago. He will captain the group up front including returning defensive tackle Kristian Williams.
The Tigers will fill remaining gaps on the line with a wave of transfers. Former Michigan State edge rusher Zion Young is expected to start, lining up opposite of Walker Jr.
Chris McClellan from Florida and Sterling Webb from New Mexico State will share time with Williams, lining up at the tackle position. Georgia defensive end transfer Darris Smith will be out of action this season due to an injury suffered during fall practices.
In addition to the transfers, five-star freshman and the top recruit in Missouri’s 2024 class Williams Nwaneri will try to carve out a role in the trenches.
Chuck Hicks is the Tigers’ returning middle linebacker from last year, accounting for 11 tackles for loss. Last season, Triston Newson received the starting nod and the former Northeast Mississippi Community College standout hasn’t looked back since.
Missouri has also welcomed transfer linebackers Corey Flagg Jr. and Kahlil Jacobs. Flagg recorded 179 career tackles across four seasons with Miami. Jacobs follows Batoon from South Alabama, totaling 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last year.
Dreyden Norwood is expected to lead the cornerbacks alongside Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr., who was rated the No. 40 recruit in the 2022 class. They are joined by the returning Nicholas Deloach Jr. and Marcus Clarke toward the top of the rotation.
The secondary is rounded out by “Star” safety Daylan Carnell. The hybrid defensive back was responsible for 51 tackles, three sacks, a pick six and seven pass deflections last season. Joseph Charleston returns as the starting free safety and Marvin Burks Jr. is expected to step in as the Tigers starting strong safety in his sophomore campaign.
Special Teams
Blake Craig will take over kicking duties with Harrison Mevis trying to land a roster spot in the NFL. Luke Bauer is back and will retain his punting duties from last year.
Schedule Outlook
Missouri’s season kicks off at Faurot Field on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. against Murray State. The Tigers will stay at home for the following three weeks against Buffalo, Boston College and Vanderbilt in their SEC Opener.
They will travel to College Station on Oct. 5 for their first away game of the year, taking on Texas A&M. Missouri remains on the road the following week to play against UMass.
The Tigers will head back to Columbia to host Auburn over Homecoming weekend. Missouri next travels to the Heart of Dixie for a battle against Alabama in Tuscaloosa as one of their season’s toughest battles.
Missouri will have a bye week before reviving one of their most storied rivalries against the Oklahoma Sooners. With Oklahoma’s entrance into the SEC, the Tigers and Sooners will go head to head for the first time since 2011 in their 97th all-time meeting.
They will close out the season with road games against South Carolina and Mississippi State before taking on Arkansas at home in their regular season finale.
Missouri has the opportunity to revitalize their program and establish themselves as a force as we enter this new era of college football.
Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com