 |
|
Columbia Tribune - nice Mizzou preview today
Posted on: July 27, 2025 at 08:21:13 CT
El Zorro MU
Posts:
22478
Member For:
21.83 yrs
Level:
User
M.O.B. Votes:
0
Copied and pasted one of the articles.
https://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/
I guess there's a paywall. :-O All of the articles are good.
Calum McAndrew does a nice job covering the Tigers.
Preview - he's most excited about Darin Smith - not one of last year's transfers - but one from the year before who tore his ACL and will see action for the first time.
He's also listing Scary Terry - that's one I'm looking forward to seeing.
Here are 7 Missouri football players I’m most excited to watch in fall camp ⎸ McAndrew
We’re back in business.
Missouri football will report for fall camp Sunday, July 27, and the Tigers will hold their first official practice of preseason Monday morning. Talking season, thank goodness, is over.
There are a number of intriguing storylines, marquee returners and headline newcomers on this MU squad. Competitions at quarterback, left tackle and cornerback will likely be the story of the preseason.
But before all the fun begins, who do we expect to provide the thrills in fall?
Ahead of fall camp, I tried to come up with the players I’m most excited to watch. This list is focused on players that I, quite simply, think could be entertaining, whether that’s because of elite athleticism or a return from an injury or a sense of the unknown or, well, just about anything else.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
For my own peace of mind, and because I simply can’t choose who I'm more excited to watch between Beau Pribula and Sam Horn, I opted to make this a no-quarterbacks list. Apologies, if that’s what you’re here for. Rest assured, there will be plenty of QB content on this website in the coming weeks.
So, in no particular order, here are the seven Mizzou players I am most excited to watch in fall camp and why:
Darris Smith, defensive end
This list is presented in no particular order, except for the first pick.
Let me be very clear: Smith is absolutely the player I’m most excited to watch this fall.
After transferring in from Georgia in 2024, the edge rusher was poised to be one of the Tigers’ primary edge rushers last season before a fall camp ACL tear ended his year.
Get the SEC Unfiltered newsletter in your inbox.
Everything you need to know about the Southeastern Conference.
Back and seemingly healthy, the 6-foot-5, 232-pound defensive end again shapes up to be a key player for Mizzou. The coaches practically sang his praises before his injury. He just looks like a different caliber of athlete.
There are a few defensive ends who could have made this list. Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II; returning starter and SEC Media Days darling Zion Young; top-50 freshman Javion Hilson.
But it’s Smith that I’m most excited to see in action. His ceiling is that high.
Marquis Johnson, wide receiver
There are few thrills like a wide receiver sprinting open downfield, and there are few wideouts capable of separating through sheer speed quite like Johnson.
If he’s fully healthy — and all indications suggest that he is — then the Tigers have a permanent threat capable of taking the top off of a defense. We’ve seen it a few times from Johnson, with 50+-yard plays against Memphis and Ohio State in 2023 immediately springing to mind. Johnson also was one of the best players on the field as Mizzou beat Iowa in the Music City Bowl last season.
He’ll be asked to be more involved in 2025 without the likes of Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. on campus. That has the potential to be fun viewing.
Jalen Catalon, safety
This was one of the standout quotes from spring camp:
“Just a guy that's an instinctual player, violent player,” Drinkwitz said of Catalon, a third-team AP All-American with UNLV last season. “Ball across the middle — I would hate to be a wide receiver with him around, because he did an excellent job. You can tell his veteran presence and understanding of the game by not taking some shots on our defenseless players.”
Catalon was so instinctual he had the choice to spare guys in spring?
Yes, please. Sign me up to watch when the bumpers come down.
Ahmad Hardy, running back
This pick won’t come as a shock.
Hardy is likely to be the centerpiece of Missouri’s offense this year. He has experience running the outside zone. Last season, he recorded 1,000 rushing yards — after contact! All said and done, Hardy finished the campaign with 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Mizzou has consistently produced top-end SEC running backs under Drinkwitz, and there seems to be no reason not to expect Hardy to be the next in line.
Oh, and in his off time, Hardy rides horses and goes fishing. There's got to be a good story there.
Shaun Terry II, wide receiver/returner
I toyed with placing fellow freshman wideout Donovan Olugbode here, as he’s the rookie most likely to feature in the offense. But that doesn’t mean Terry isn’t going to play. In fact, he may be a top candidate to be a return specialist.
His high school tape returning punts is nothing short of electric. Just watch this:
Are you not entertained?
Josiah Trotter, linebacker
Football is in Trotter’s blood. His father is a Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer. His brother just won a Super Bowl with the Birds.
And Mizzou’s likely new starting middle linebacker has some high potential.
Over 12 games en route to being named the 2024 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Trotter recorded 92 tackles, five QB pressures and one interception with West Virginia last season. A good Mike linebacker can do wonders for a defense. Ty’Ron Hopper and Corey Flagg Jr. were excellent players for MU at the position on back-to-back double-digit-win squads.
Now, it’s over to Trotter, who could be a game-changing addition.
Cayden Green, left guard
Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) is lifted by offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) after scoring against the Buffalo Bulls during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
We’re going to spend much of the next few weeks talking about a multiplayer position competition at left tackle. That, inherently, is interesting.
But one spot over along the line, the Tigers may have a follow-up for first-round NFL Draft pick and right tackle Armand Membou. Early NFL Draft mocks and chatter have Green, who like Membou played at Lee’s Summit North High, tabbed as a Day 1 or 2 pick in the 2026 draft.
If the 6-5, 324-pound guard can live up to those projections, that would be a major benefit to a team that has a new starting quarterback coming and an offensive line that will field three new starters.
Membou was exciting to watch because he flat-out flattened folks. Maybe we’ll get some of the same from Green.
Edited by El Zorro at 11:08:13 on 07/27/25
https://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/
I guess there's a paywall. :-O All of the articles are good.
Calum McAndrew does a nice job covering the Tigers.
Preview - he's most excited about Darin Smith - not one of last year's transfers - but one from the year before who tore his ACL and will see action for the first time.
He's also listing Scary Terry - that's one I'm looking forward to seeing.
Here are 7 Missouri football players I’m most excited to watch in fall camp ⎸ McAndrew
We’re back in business.
Missouri football will report for fall camp Sunday, July 27, and the Tigers will hold their first official practice of preseason Monday morning. Talking season, thank goodness, is over.
There are a number of intriguing storylines, marquee returners and headline newcomers on this MU squad. Competitions at quarterback, left tackle and cornerback will likely be the story of the preseason.
But before all the fun begins, who do we expect to provide the thrills in fall?
Ahead of fall camp, I tried to come up with the players I’m most excited to watch. This list is focused on players that I, quite simply, think could be entertaining, whether that’s because of elite athleticism or a return from an injury or a sense of the unknown or, well, just about anything else.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
For my own peace of mind, and because I simply can’t choose who I'm more excited to watch between Beau Pribula and Sam Horn, I opted to make this a no-quarterbacks list. Apologies, if that’s what you’re here for. Rest assured, there will be plenty of QB content on this website in the coming weeks.
So, in no particular order, here are the seven Mizzou players I am most excited to watch in fall camp and why:
Darris Smith, defensive end
This list is presented in no particular order, except for the first pick.
Let me be very clear: Smith is absolutely the player I’m most excited to watch this fall.
After transferring in from Georgia in 2024, the edge rusher was poised to be one of the Tigers’ primary edge rushers last season before a fall camp ACL tear ended his year.
Get the SEC Unfiltered newsletter in your inbox.
Everything you need to know about the Southeastern Conference.
Back and seemingly healthy, the 6-foot-5, 232-pound defensive end again shapes up to be a key player for Mizzou. The coaches practically sang his praises before his injury. He just looks like a different caliber of athlete.
There are a few defensive ends who could have made this list. Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II; returning starter and SEC Media Days darling Zion Young; top-50 freshman Javion Hilson.
But it’s Smith that I’m most excited to see in action. His ceiling is that high.
Marquis Johnson, wide receiver
There are few thrills like a wide receiver sprinting open downfield, and there are few wideouts capable of separating through sheer speed quite like Johnson.
If he’s fully healthy — and all indications suggest that he is — then the Tigers have a permanent threat capable of taking the top off of a defense. We’ve seen it a few times from Johnson, with 50+-yard plays against Memphis and Ohio State in 2023 immediately springing to mind. Johnson also was one of the best players on the field as Mizzou beat Iowa in the Music City Bowl last season.
He’ll be asked to be more involved in 2025 without the likes of Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. on campus. That has the potential to be fun viewing.
Jalen Catalon, safety
This was one of the standout quotes from spring camp:
“Just a guy that's an instinctual player, violent player,” Drinkwitz said of Catalon, a third-team AP All-American with UNLV last season. “Ball across the middle — I would hate to be a wide receiver with him around, because he did an excellent job. You can tell his veteran presence and understanding of the game by not taking some shots on our defenseless players.”
Catalon was so instinctual he had the choice to spare guys in spring?
Yes, please. Sign me up to watch when the bumpers come down.
Ahmad Hardy, running back
This pick won’t come as a shock.
Hardy is likely to be the centerpiece of Missouri’s offense this year. He has experience running the outside zone. Last season, he recorded 1,000 rushing yards — after contact! All said and done, Hardy finished the campaign with 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Mizzou has consistently produced top-end SEC running backs under Drinkwitz, and there seems to be no reason not to expect Hardy to be the next in line.
Oh, and in his off time, Hardy rides horses and goes fishing. There's got to be a good story there.
Shaun Terry II, wide receiver/returner
I toyed with placing fellow freshman wideout Donovan Olugbode here, as he’s the rookie most likely to feature in the offense. But that doesn’t mean Terry isn’t going to play. In fact, he may be a top candidate to be a return specialist.
His high school tape returning punts is nothing short of electric. Just watch this:
Are you not entertained?
Josiah Trotter, linebacker
Football is in Trotter’s blood. His father is a Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer. His brother just won a Super Bowl with the Birds.
And Mizzou’s likely new starting middle linebacker has some high potential.
Over 12 games en route to being named the 2024 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Trotter recorded 92 tackles, five QB pressures and one interception with West Virginia last season. A good Mike linebacker can do wonders for a defense. Ty’Ron Hopper and Corey Flagg Jr. were excellent players for MU at the position on back-to-back double-digit-win squads.
Now, it’s over to Trotter, who could be a game-changing addition.
Cayden Green, left guard
Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) is lifted by offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) after scoring against the Buffalo Bulls during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
We’re going to spend much of the next few weeks talking about a multiplayer position competition at left tackle. That, inherently, is interesting.
But one spot over along the line, the Tigers may have a follow-up for first-round NFL Draft pick and right tackle Armand Membou. Early NFL Draft mocks and chatter have Green, who like Membou played at Lee’s Summit North High, tabbed as a Day 1 or 2 pick in the 2026 draft.
If the 6-5, 324-pound guard can live up to those projections, that would be a major benefit to a team that has a new starting quarterback coming and an offensive line that will field three new starters.
Membou was exciting to watch because he flat-out flattened folks. Maybe we’ll get some of the same from Green.
Edited by El Zorro at 11:08:13 on 07/27/25
Please explain why this message is being reported.
MESSAGE THREAD
Columbia Tribune - nice Mizzou preview today - El Zorro MU - 7/27 08:21:13