When it comes to the Missouri running back position, competition marks the spot.

Missouri’s top four rushers from last season all return in 2011. After one major injury, three talented rushers in senior DeVion Moore, junior Kendial Lawrence and sophomore Henry Josey have taken their talents, attributes and willpower to the field in a battle to lead the pack.

“First of all, they are very talented,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “I just always challenge them and what that means is that you may be all good, but you want to look a little better than the other guy.”

All the while, the three tailbacks revel in the challenge. They’re friends on and off the field. They cheer each other on and pick each other up, all three players under the notion that the team comes before any one of them.

“We’re a family,” Lawrence said. “We’re all brothers in there. We all want the best for each other. But it’s also a competition, so we all know we have to work our hardest.”

After season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month forced Marcus Murphy (185 yards, two touchdowns in 2010) to redshirt for his sophomore year, the three remaining running backs have spent spring and summer practices doing what they can to gain that extra yard.

After starting tailback and team captain Derrick Washington was kicked off the team for off-the-field issues before the start of last season, Moore took over the top spot. He assumed the position’s leadership role as the oldest player and went on to lead the Tigers in rushing with 543 yards and a team-high eight rushing touchdowns.

“He is a great leader and a great team player, but he is also really good, too,” Pinkel said of Moore. “If you ask him, he is the best to get the job done. We like the competition.”

Josey brought his speed to the table in 2010, compiling 461 yards and five touchdowns as only a freshman. Josey expressed, more than anything, his love of being one of the guys.

“We always joke about (the competition),” he said. “We’re all three good guys. We’re all close to each other. We always stay positive.”

If one Missouri player really made a name for himself in preseason camp, it was Lawrence. After totaling 441 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, Lawrence took to camp by firestorm, reeling off long gain after long gain. Lawrence showcased his preseason strides in the team’s first camp scrimmage, breaking open back-to-back 60-yard runs.

“He’s had an exceptional camp,” Pinkel said. “He’s had as good of a camp as you can have. He has tremendous work ethic. Most of our players have good work ethic but he’s done a real good job.”

Pinkel said the coaching staff is currently unsure of just how the depth chart and carry distribution will turn out. What is clear, though, is just how much the three tailbacks love being together for every rush of the way.

“Just like (with) any other teammate, you establish a bond, establish a friendship,” Moore said. “That competition, it’s almost like going home and playing video games with each other. We come out here and we compete, but we still have fun with one another.”