Front Porch FootballMissouri 2019 Season Preview
SEC East |Columbia, MO|Memorial Stadium (71,168) | 2018: 8-5 (4-4)
by Brendan Paschal
There is a little bit of everything going on at the University of Missouri. From NCAA probations to stadium renovations to Kelly Bryant entering. Things have been so hectic that the experts are having a tough time figuring out where the Tigers will place in the SEC East.
Many have projected the Missouri Tigers as their dark horse contender for the SEC East. It’s hard not to blame them either. With a favorable schedule, transfer Kelly Bryant at QB, and a massive offensive line, Missouri’s offense looks like it won’t miss a beat from last year. Unlike 2018 – where the Tigers faced Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama in a row – Missouri’s schedule is easier to handle.
Although they were slapped with a postseason ban for 2019 , and seniors were given a “get out of jail free” card, not one senior transferred. Their loyalty to Barry Odom and the program is encouraging for years to come.
Offense
It’s hard to imagine a Missouri offense without Drew Lock. He started at Missouri for so long that it seemed like anyone after him would simply not live up to the comparison. Following Lock’s departure I believed that offensive coordinator Derek Dooley should rip out every play in his playbook that involved the ball in the air. That was until Kelly Bryant announced his transfer…
Quarterback
Missouri went from being projected to the bottom of the East to dark horse contender because of one man. When Bryant (6-3, 225) announced his transfer experts immediately fell back in love with Missouri, and it’s hard to blame them. Bryant was a stud at Clemson throwing for 2,802 yards in his first (and only) year as a starter in 2017. Sure, Trevor Lawrence is once in a generation kind of talent, but Kelly Bryant is no slouch. In fact, Clemson fans seem to forget that Bryant was the one responsible for their win against Texas A&M last year. Long story short, Bryant is a stud and a great pick up for Missouri.
Replacing four-year starter Drew Lock seemed nearly impossible. However, with Bryant now in the mix all Missouri has to do is adjust a few play calls. Look for more read options or designed QB runs in 2019. Not because Bryant isn’t an established passer, rather because their offensive line is so stout and phenomenal run blockers it would be foolish not to utilize Bryant’s talent on the ground. Behind Bryant is another transfer out of TCU Shawn Robinson (6-2,225), who will likely make his push for starter in 2020.
Running Backs
The running back duo returns. Junior Larry Rountree III (5-10, 210) and sophomore Tyler Badie (5-9, 190) look to continue their success from last year. Rountree is a bruiser while the smaller more elusive Baide will kill you with his speed. Adding Bryant gives Dooley options.
Wide Receiver
The loss of Emanuel Hall stings, but there is plenty of talent to replace the deep ball need. Sophomore Jalen Knox (6-0, 195) spent some time last year at the number one spot. Even though he struggled at times there were flashes of talent. If Knox is to have a successful 2019 campaign he needs to show consistency. Senior slot receiver Johnathon Johnson (5-10, 180) will add some much needed experience to the corps, as well as Arkansas graduate transfer Jonathan Nance (6-0, 190).
The tight end position, however, is the deepest and most talented. At the head is junior Albert Okwuegbunam (6-5, 255), who is projected to be one of the best tight ends in the country for 2019. When Okwuegbunam missed four games last year due to injury several players stepped up – especially freshman Daniel Parker (6-4, 260). Parker had such a successful first year he earned freshman All-SEC honors.
Offensive Line
Big and girthy. Three of last year’s five starters return, including All-SEC guard, Tre’vour Wallace-Simms (6-5, 330). Yasir Durant (6-7, 330) returns at left tackle and so does center Trystan Colon-Castillo (6-4,315) . Sophomore Hyrin White( 6-6, 305) looks to replace long time starter Paul Adams at right tackle. Another sophomore Larry Broom (6-6, 340) will look to take the remaining left guard position. Sophomore Case Cook( 6-5, 295) and freshman Bobby Lawrence( 6-8, 300) could be placed into rotation.
Defense
What this defense lacks in pass rush and linebacker experience they make up for in an exceptional secondary. But in the SEC a great secondary doesn’t mean jack squat if your front seven can’t pressure the quarterback. Because of the lack of seasoned talent at linebacker expect defensive coordinator, Ryan Walters, to break out plenty of nickel packages.
Defensive Line
Although losing Terry Beckner Jr. hurts, the interior side should simply reload with Jordan Elliott (6-4, 315) looking to take on a starting role. After transferring from Texas, Elliot was third on the team in tackles for loss (8) and sacks (3). He will be joined with juniors Kobie Whiteside (6-1,310) and Chris Daniels (6-4, 315), who also transferred from Texas.
The defensive end positions returns two phenomenal run defenders in juniors Akail Byers (6-4, 280) and Chris Turner (6-4, 255). However, the Tigers need a pass rusher and neither Byers or Turner are the type of players who can line up in a track stance and get to the quarterback. Look for sophomore Trajan Jeffcoat (6-3, 245) to provide that skill. Hopefully Jeffcoat can help this defense improve from last years 108th position at sack rate.
Linebacker
Cale Garrett (6-3, 230) returning for his senior year saved this defense. If Mizzou lost all three of last year’s starting linebackers this defense would have struggled. Yes, Garrett is that good. He has uncanny talent for sniffing out the ball and his numbers prove that with 112 tackles in 2018. Since both Brandon Lee and Terez Hall graduated Missouri will need underclassmen to step up. If Walters wants experience over size then he will use a nickel package, which means there is only one spot to fill at the linebacker position. Sophomores, Jamal Brooks (6-1, 240) and Nick Bolton (6-0, 235) will likely see the playing field most.
Defensive Backs
This secondary is seasoned and deep. Despite the lackluster quarterback pressure the defense only allowed a mere 55.7 completion percentage, which was 31st in the FBS. At cornerback DeMarkus Acy (6-2, 195) and Christian Holmes (6-1, 200) return to their starting positions, with Adam Sparks (6-0, 180) coming off the bench. All three have plenty of minutes under them.
The safety spot is even deeper with four upperclassmen also returning. The junior duo Joshuah Bledsoe (6-0, 205) and Jordan Ulmer (6-2, 190) enter 2019 at the free safety position while seniors Ronnell Perkins (6-0, 205) and Khalil Oliver (6-1, 210) continue their roles at strong safety. Tyree Gillespie is a true nickelback (6-0, 210).
Special Teams
With four year starter, Corey Fatony graduating senior placekicker Tucker McCann will look to assume both roles.
Schedule Breakdown
Aug. 31 at Wyoming
Sept. 7 vs West Virginia
Sept. 14 vs SE Missouri State
Sept. 21 vs South Carolina
Sept. 28 OFF
Oct. 5 vs Troy
Oct. 12 vs Ole Miss
Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 26 at Kentucky
Nov. 2 OFF
Nov. 9 at Georgia
Nov. 16 vs Florida
Nov. 23 vs Tennessee
Nov. 30 at Arkansas *
*Little Rock, AR
Projected Finish: 9-3 (5-3)
Losses: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
Facing the two weakest opponents in the West this year is a huge upside. Also, they begin the season with an easy non conference start, which gives them time to work out any kinks before entering the SEC play. However, look for Missouri to struggle against teams with a strong passing game. Last year, while five opposing quarterbacks finished with a passer rating below 100 six others topped over 140. Most of their losses came when the quarterback performed well – including Michael Scarnecchia’s passer rating of 145.5. All three of their projected losses come from the quality of opposing quarterback play.
