Spring practice is underway, and Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel is already leaning on his returning seniors on the offensive end.
“We’re excited about having a group of guys coming back,” Pinkel said. “It’s nice to have that, but there’s an expectation level that goes with that.”
Although the Tigers lost key offensive weapons in receivers Bud Sasser, Jimmie Hunt and Darius White to graduation, the return of an experienced offensive line, along with senior tailback Russell Hansbrough, offers signs of a promising season to come.
“I always talk to the seniors before break about how when we get back (for spring practice), I need their leadership, along with the coaches, to make sure our team does the right things to get better and have a great practice,” Pinkel said.
Mizzou is slated to start four seniors on the offensive line. Taylor Chappell, Mitch Hall, Evan Boehm and Connor McGovern are listed atop the depth chart at their respective positions along the line, with sophomore Clay Rhoades set to begin the season as the starting right tackle. The three returnees in the middle of the offensive line — Hall, Boehm and McGovern — are especially excited for the offensive line this year, having played alongside one another for three years.
“It’s cool to see us building on top of each other,” Boehm said. “We have the trust in each other to talk and determine what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do things.”
Pinkel also raved about the benefit of having an experienced and talented offensive line.
“It really gives us the luxury to work on our backup guys,” he said. “We’re not forcing a young guy into playing right now.”
Although Boehm, a vocal member of Mizzou’s team last season, entertained the possibility of entering the NFL Draft, he said the decision to come back to Mizzou for his senior season was clear. Now, the Lee’s Summit, Missouri native is taking it all in.
“I was talking to (former offensive lineman Mitch Morse’s father) Kevin Morse at the pro day here, and he said from the beginning of June to the bowl game, you blink twice and it’s over,” Boehm said. “It kind of hit me because I’ve started 40 consecutive football games here and I’ve (been) very blessed, but there’s still a lot that I want to do.”
A healthy Taylor Chappell will also provide an added boost to the offensive line this season. After being set back by a handful of injuries early in his Mizzou career, Chappell is set to take a major step this season.
“I’m feeling a lot better, especially my lower body,” Chappell said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with my lower body as far as quickness goes and that’s half the battle.”
Aside from the offensive line, Russell Hansbrough returns to the Tigers backfield. Hansbrough led the Mizzou rushing attack last season with 205 carries for 1,084 yards and 10 touchdowns. Although the Tigers lost an All-SEC performer in tailback Marcus Murphy to graduation, Morgan Steward is set to return after missing all of last season due to a non-contact injury.
“Next man up,” Hansbrough said. “The next man has to be just as good as (Murphy) was.”
Maty Mauk will once again be the integral piece of the Tigers offense. The junior received criticism last year for a lack of accuracy and forcing throws, but is expected to develop more this spring. Mauk completed 53.4 percent of his passes last season for 2,648 yards and 25 touchdowns.
“We have these 10, now nine, practices, and then we don’t approach our guys until” fall practice begins, Pinkel said. “Other sports have the opportunity to coach their guys all the time. We don’t have that opportunity. We can’t waste a day.”
At the beginning stages of spring practice, it is evident that the Tigers clearly have a long way to go to get back in football mode, but showed a promising start. The two-time defending Southeastern Conference East Division champions are on the right track.
“It’s a continuous effort to get better,” Pinkel said. “It’s working together. With a great work ethic, you’ve got a chance to improve.”