Mizzou Football 2024 Depth Chart

A comprehensive preview of Missouri's 2024 season including newcomer profiles, opponent previews and a depth chart after fall camp.

Sep 21, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Head coach Eli Drinkwitz (right), along with defensive back Toriano Pride Jr. (2) and defensive end Eddie Kelly Jr, (97) leads the Missouri Tigers out of the tunnel against Commodores at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Matt Guzman/MissouriOnSI

Expectations for Missouri Tigers football have rarely, if ever, been as high as they are heading into the 2024 season. With the 12-team playoff being introduced in college football, a shot at the National Championship seem realistic for Missouri.

The Tigers are looking to build on top of a 2023 season where they finished 11-2 and took home the Cotton Bowl trophy in a 14-3 win over Ohio State. But head coach Eli Drinkwitz realizes that momentum will only take his team so far.

"But let me state this as clearly as I can state it; that was last year, and last year has nothing to do with this year," Drinkwitz said in July at SEC Media Days. "So we as a team, as a brotherhood, as a coaching staff, as a group of players have to go and form our own identity. We have to go develop our own team chemistry. We have to go figure out what it means to be a tough, physical football team."

Six Missouri players were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the second most in program history. With these significant losses and others in mind, the Tigers went to work in the transfer portal to replenish and improve their team. Missouri added 15 players through the portal, ranked as the No. 13 portal class in the nation. Five of these are expected to be starters in 2024.

Become familiar with Missouri's transfer portal class by reading MissouriOnSI's transfer profiles, a part of our meet the newcomer series.

Quarterback

Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook throws a ball at practice at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. / Matt Guzman/MissouriOnSI

Starter: Brady Cook

Backups: Drew Pyne, JR Blood, Aidan Glover

The starting job is firmly in the hands of Brady Cook, entering his third year as Missouri's starter. Arizona State transfer Drew Pyne came in as the favorite for the backup job and secured it with an impressive start to fall camp. Harold, or JR, Blood comes as a transfer from Southern and is the brother of the sophomore receiver Daniel. Aidan Glover is the developmental project as a three-star prospect from Tennessee.

Running Backs

Aug. 17, 2024: Columbia, Missouri; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Carroll (9) warms up ahead of the the team's annual fan night practice. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

1. Nate Noel
2. Marcus Carroll
3rd downs: Jamal Roberts
Backups: Tavorus Jones, Kewan Lacy

The effort to replace Cody Schrader will be spearheaded by Applachian State transfer Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll from Georgia State. Expect Noel to be the every down back while Carroll is used as a downhill, power back. Sophomore Jamal Roberts impressed during last years fall camp and could earn himself opportunities this upcoming season. Four-star prospect Kewan Lacy could also see some involvement as a true freshman.

Wide Receivers

Missouri Tigers receiver Luther Burden III at practice at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. / Matt Guzman/MissouriOnSI

X-WR: Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, Logan Muckey, James Madison
Y-WR: Luther Burden III, Mehki Miller, Daniel Blood
Z-WR: Mookie Cooper, Joshua Manning, Courtney Crutchfield

The Missouri receiver room was already deep but two rising sophomores as emerging as potential impact players. Both Joshua Manning and Daniel Blood have had impressive offseasons and could contribute in 2024 after quiet freshman campaigns. The group of returning starters is already one of best in the nation. Expect a big year out of the duo of Theo Wease Jr., Luther Burden III in the final season of their careers.

Tight Ends

Aug. 17, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers tight end Brett Norfleet (87) lines up ahead of a play at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Starter: Brett Norfleet
Options: Jordon Harris, Tyler Stephens
Projects: Jude James, Whit Hafer

Brett Norfleet was a breakout star for Missouri in 2023, earning All-SEC Freshman honors. His two-way ability as a blocker and a receiver will keep him on the field most of the time. Tyler Stephens and Jordon Harris both contribute as blockers while Whit Hafer and Jude James are two incoming freshman from the St. Louis area who could see limited playing time this season.

Offensive Line

Aug. 17, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; The starting offensive line for the Missouri Tigers drop into stance at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Starting five: LT: Marcus Bryant, LG: Cayden Green, C: Drake Heismeyer, RG: Cam'Ron Johnson, RT: Armand Membou

Backups:
LT: Jayven Richardson, Cayden Green, Brandon Soils
LG: Mitchell Walters, Talan Chandler
C: Tristan Wilson, Drake Heismeyer
RG: Curtis Peagler
RT: Jayven Richardson

The offensive line was one of the most improved position groups for Missouri from 2022 and 2023. The Tigers did lose multiple starters in Javon Foster and Xavier Delgado along with depth piece Marcellus Johnson. But the transfer additions of Cayden Green and Marcus Bryant rebolstered the left side of the line.

Defensive Line

Aug. 17, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Defensive linemen for the Missouri Tigers prepare to clash with the offensive linemen during warm ups at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Left End:
Starter: Johnny Walker Jr.
Backups: Jahkai Lang

Right End:
Starters: Zion Young OR Eddie Kelly Jr.

Missouri will have to replace the leadership and production Darius Robinson, selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, in its edge room. Taking on most of those responsibilities will be Johnny Walker Jr., voted as a team captain entering his second season as a starter. Opposite of Walker, redshirt freshman Jahkai Lang is expected to take on a heavy role this season after Georgia transfer Darris Smith went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Defensive Tackle:
Starters: Kristian Williams / Chris McClellan,
Backups: Marquis Gracial / Sterling Webb
Jalen Marshall / Sam Williams

The interior of the defensive line is a deep room for the Tigers. Entering his third season with Missouri and final year of college, Kristian Williams is a moral and physical leader in the trenches. Florida transfer Chris McCllelan should be a major contributor in run support. Marquis Gracial, entering his third season, has taken strides over the offseason and could be a consistent member of the rotation as well.

Linebackers

Mar 16, 2024; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nate Noel and linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. look on at the field from the sideline near the conclusion of Missouri's annual Black & Gold Spring Game at Faurot Field. / Matt Guzman/MissouriOnSI

The linebackers will likely be one of the position groups with slightly different responsibilities under new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. Most noticeably with the new joker position, a hybrid of a defensive end and linebacker, requiring the athleticism that Walker possesses. At middle linebacker, the losses of Chad Bailey and Ty'Ron Hopper are significant but veteran Chuck Hicks will replace their leadership along with experienced transfers Corey Flagg Jr. and Khalil Jacobs.

Weakside linebacker:

Starters: Tristan Newsom OR Khalil Jacobs
Backups: Brayshawn Littlejohn, Nicholas Rodriguez

Middle linebacker:

Starters: Chuck Hicks OR Corey Flagg Jr.
Options: Jeremiah Beasley, Brian Huff

Cornerbacks

Aug. 17, 2024: Columbia, Missouri; Missouri Tigers cornerback Nic Deloach (24) in coverage at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

The Missouri cornerback room suffered significant losses with Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine both being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. The addition of Clemson transfer Torianno Pride Jr. adds some much needed experience along with junior Dreyden Norwood. Sophomore Nic Deloach has made strides after his freshman season and has been rotating in with the first lineup during fall camp.

1. Dreyden Norwood / Torianno Pride Jr. OR Nic Deloach
2. Marcus Clarke / Pride or Deloach
3. Ja'Marion Wayne / Shamar McNeil
4. Cam Keys / Jaren Sensabaugh

Safeties

Aug. 17, 2024: Columbia, Missouri; Missouri Tigers safety Marvin Burks (1) intercepts a pass at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field. / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Batoon's main area of expertise is the safety position. He's coached defensive backs for over half of his 34 year coaching career. During spring practices, he emphasized that the group needs to a better job of communicating on the back end. Joseph Charlestoon will be the leader of the room, playing alongside Marvin Burks, a promising rising sophomore.

STAR:
Starter: Daylan Carnell
Backups: Tre'Vez Johnson Sidney Williams, Philip Roche

Free Safety: Joseph Charleston OR Tre'Vez Johnson
Backup: Trajen Greco

Strong Safety:
Starter: Marvin Burks
Backup: Caleb Flagg

Specialists

Missouri Tigers kicker Blake Craig (19) lines up for a kick at the team's annual fan night practice at Faurot Field on Aug. 17, 2024/ / Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Blake Craig will have the hefty task of replacing Harrison Mevis. The redshirt freshman was the No. 2 rated kicker in the Class of 2023 by Kohl's Kicking Camps. At punter, Luke Bauer returns after splitting duties with Riley Williams last season. At returner, Missouri has been taking a look at quite a few options for both kick and punts.

Punter:
Starter: Luke Bauer
Backup: Orion Philips

Kicker:
Starter: Blake Craig
Backups: Nick Quadrini

Long snapper:
Punt: Brett Le Blanc
Field Goal: Trey Flint

Punt Returner:
Starter: Luther Burden III
Options: Daniel Blood, Theo Wease Jr.

Kick Returner:
Starter: Marquis Johnson
Options: Joshua Manning, Marvin Burks Jr.

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