Continued success for Missouri contingent on new-look defense

The prospects of another brilliant Missouri football team depends on who’s left and who left.

A ton of talent returns from last season’s 11-win team, especially on offense.

But will that be sufficient to overcome what was lost, especially on defense?

In 2023, the Tigers ranked among the nation’s top 30 in total offense and scoring offense. The return of quarterback Brady Cook and receivers Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. should ensure Missouri’s offensive remains formidable.

However, there is some concern with the offensive line where two starters must be replaced. But transfers Cayden Green from Oklahoma and Marcus Bryant from SMU has eased those worries.

Still, there must be some angst about the departure of running back Cody Schrader, who last season led the Southeastern Conference with 1,627 rushing yards alongside 14 touchdowns.

Maybe not.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, who was rewarded for last year’s success with a contract extension through 2028, is bullish about running back Nate Noel, a transfer from Appalachian State where he was the rushing leader in each of the previous three seasons.

“Nate had a really, really good spring,” Drinkwitz said after spring drills. “I really came out of spring excited about what Nate provides us, offensively.”

So, it’s not unrealistic for the Tigers to at least duplicate the 32.5 points they averaged in 2023.

Whether they can keep opponents from scoring in the 30s is another matter.

Five starters off last year’s defensive unit were selected in the NFL Draft, including first-round defensive lineman Darius Robinson and second-round cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

The Tigers must replace last year’s leaders in tackles (Jaylon Carlies), tackles-for-loss (Robinson), sacks (Robinson) and interceptions and passes broken up (Kris Abrams-Draine).

Also, defensive coordinator Blake Baker left for LSU. He’s been replaced by Corey Batoon. Batoon last season supervised the nation’s No. 15-ranked defense at South Alabama.

Missouri also has to replace All-SEC kicker Harrison Mevis. He kicked two last-second game-winning field goals in 2023. That included a 61-yarder against Kansas State.

Yet, Drinkwitz remains unquestionably optimistic.

“You have great players like Theo Wease and Luther Burden and (tight end) Brett Norfleet, Brady Cook, (defensive back) Daylan Carnell, (defensive lineman) Johnny Walker and (defensive lineman) Kristian Williams,” he said following spring practice. “But the other guys did what we asked them to do, which was develop individually at their craft.”

Missouri Tigers

2023 record: 11-2; 6-2 in SEC

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch

Missouri defeated Ohio State in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, 14-3. QB Brady Cook, seen left, completed 11-of-18 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Primary area of strength: The Tigers’ passing game is among the best in the SEC. Last season they averaged 262.3 yards per game. The most vital contributors are back. Senior quarterback Brady Cook returns after passing for 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior. He is blessed with arguably a premier group of receivers. Don’t be surprised if Luther Burden III emerges as a Heisman candidate. All-SEC a year ago, Burden had 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s complemented by Theo Wease Jr., who had 682 receiving yards and six TDs. Indeed, the top seven wide receivers from last season remain on the roster.

Primary area of concern: A slew of departures from Missouri’s effective 2023 defenses raises concerns for this year’s unit. Among the losses are five starters who were selected in the NFL Draft. That includes All-SEC defensive tackle Darius Robinson, who was a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. Also selected were cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — a second-round pick — All-SEC linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, All-SEC defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine and defensive back Jaylon Carlies. Further, defensive coordinator Blake Baker defected to LSU.

Top three players

• WR Luther Burden III: A second-team All-American, Burden averaged 14.09 yards per catch in 2023. He had at least 96 receiving yards in eight games.
• QB Brady Cook: In two seasons as the starter, Cook has passed for 6,041 yards and 41 touchdowns.
• OT Cayden Green: Missouri native comes home after a strong freshman season at Oklahoma. Fingers are crossed he fills a need at left tackle.

Top three additions

• OT Cayden Green: He played in every game as a true freshman at Oklahoma. He made five starts at left guard for the Sooners.
• DB Toriano Pride Jr.: St. Louis resident transferred in after two seasons at Clemson. There, he broke up four passes and recorded 14 tackles last season. He was the overall No. 40-nationally ranked prospect in the 2022 class.
• DE Zion Young: A transfer from Michigan State, where he posted 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.

Top three departures

• DL Darius Robinson: First-round draft choice posted 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and was credited with 6 quarterback pressures last season.
• RB Cody Schrader: A former walk-on, he led the nation in average rushing yards per game. Schrader gained 1,627 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
• CB Kris Abrams-Draine: Could’ve flipped a coin between Abrams-Draine and Rakestraw, who was drafted higher. But Abrams-Draine was first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American. He posted 51 tackles and led the Tigers with four interceptions and 13 passes broken up.

2024 Missouri schedule

• Aug. 29 vs. Murray State
• Sept. 7 vs. Buffalo
• Sept. 14 vs. Boston College
• Sept. 21 vs. Vanderbilt
• Oct. 5 at Texas A&M
• Oct. 12 at Massachusetts
• Oct. 19 vs. Auburn
• Oct. 26 at Alabama
• Nov. 9 vs. Oklahoma
• Nov. 16 at South Carolina
• Nov. 23 at Mississippi State
• Nov. 30 vs. Arkansas