2016 in Review: Defensive Line

Season Review: This has been the strength of Missouri for so long that many simply expected it to continue without missing a beat. And while Charles Harris did have better numbers and probably a better season than a year ago, he didn't have a lot of help. The other defensive end spot seemed to rotate on a weekly basis until Marcell Frazier took control and stepped up in the last couple of weeks of the season. Nate Howard really only played in two games and Spencer Williams and Jordan Harold logged a lot of time, but not a lot of difference-making plays.

Inside, the Tigers started Rickey Hatley and AJ Logan with Josh Augusta and Terry Beckner Jr. backing them up. The group was okay, but Beckner went down late in the season with a knee injury.

Markell Utsey inside and Josh Moore outside saw limited playing time.

The defensive line quite simply never seemed to latch on to DeMontie Cross' new scheme where they were tasked with more responsibilities and reaction than in the old system. When Mizzou went back to its prior scheme, the line play improved, but the numbers were significantly down all season long. Odom has said the Tigers will run more of the old scheme in 2017.