Mizzou’s schedule is again favorable: The Tigers avoid Georgia, Texas, LSU and Tennessee, while Alabama,
Texas A&M and South Carolina all visit Faurot Field. If they get the requisite sturdy play from a new starting
quarterback , the pieces should be in place for another strong season. But we can’t bank on that until we see said QB in action.
Previewing Missouri’s Offense for 2025
When you have one of the more experienced and proven offenses in the country in a given season, as Missouri did in 2024, that probably means you’re going to have an awfully unproven unit the next season. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz used the transfer portal to keep experience levels at an acceptable level, bringing in receivers Kevin Coleman Jr. (932 receiving yards at Mississippi State in 2024) and Xavier Loyd (912 at FCS Illinois State), running back Ahmad Hardy (1,351 rushing yards at ULM) and potentially two new starting tackles in Keagen Trost (Wake Forest) and Johnny Williams IV (West Virginia). Coleman, Loyd and returnees Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning should form an exciting receiving corps, and Hardy’s rugged, physical style should translate to SEC play. But the offensive line is relatively unproven outside of guard Cayden Green, and so much will depend on the winner of the battle to replace three-year starting quarterback Brady Cook.
Penn State transfer Beau Pribula and former blue-chipper Sam Horn were reportedly neck-and-neck in spring practice. Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore should be able to avoid any major regression if he’s getting what he needs from behind center.
Previewing Missouri’s Defense for 2025
Replacing coordinator Blake Baker with Corey Batoon went pretty well, as Mizzou ranked 17th nationally in total defense and 20th in scoring defense despite a lot of personnel turnover. Now the Tigers not only return seven starters but also brought in six FBS starters from elsewhere, including linebacker and
Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Josiah Trotter (West Virginia) and star safety Jalen Catalon (UNLV). Trotter might be the only starter who isn’t a junior or senior, and if the Tigers have enough depth up front, where Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II is among the newcomers Batoon will rely on to generate pressure, this should be another top-20 unit. Tackle Chris McClellan, linebacker Triston Newson and nickel Daylan Carnell are all among the league’s best.
Previewing Missouri’s Specialists for 2025
Placekicker Blake Craig was mostly automatic on shorter distances and made seven field goals beyond 40 yards, and the combination of Coleman (punts) and Johnson (kickoffs) should give the Tigers one of the better return tandems in the SEC.
