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Preseason Preview: Positions, Players to Watch

With preseason camp set to start on Aug. 4, PowerMizzou.com has broken down each position to give fans an idea of what to expect throughout the month of August.

Now, we're taking a broader view and looking at what are the most important positions for Missouri this August. These are the areas that Missouri has the most questions that need to be answered before kick-off on Sep. 3.

TJ Warren has a good chance to be one of the starting CBs this year.
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3. Cornerback (opposite Aarion Penton)

The staff has said that every position is up for grabs this August, but you can likely make a safe bet about most of the opening-game starters. Aarion Penton, a senior, should hold down one spot at corner.

The other spot is very much open.

Redshirt freshman TJ Warren was the surprise of spring as he started the Black and Gold Game, jumping older players like John Gibson, Logan Cheadle and Anthony Hines. Gibson and Cheadle have both had their ups-and-downs so far but have positioned themselves at the very least as solid rotational guys; Hines' playing time was limited in his first season, but he has the best size of the group. Warren, at this stage, is certainly the most unknown, given that he took a redshirt in 2015.

This spot is important because opposing teams will likely game plan to attack it. Aarion Penton can improve tremendously in his senior year, but at the very least he is an above-average college cornerback. He's also the most physical player in that group -- and perhaps the most physical player in Missouri's entire secondary. He will likely be avoided, and with Missouri's talented defensive line, opposing offenses could lean on quick passing games. That puts pressure on the boundary, and, will require Missouri to have a capable answer opposite Aarion Penton.

Whether it ends up being a committee or one player securing the job, the cornerback opposite Aarion Penton will be one of the key positions to watch in 2016.


Adams (77) and Pendleton (71) seem set on the right side of the line.

2. Offensive line -- on the left side

The entire offensive line is really a question mark, but the right side seems much more settled despite the inexperience. Paul Adams will likely be the starter at right tackle. Kevin Pendleton looks solid at right guard.

But from there, things are much more in flux.

Let's start at left tackle, where in the spring, neither JUCO transfer Tyler Howell nor redshirt freshman Tanner Owen grabbed complete hold of the job. The hope has to be that Howell steps up in August and shows he's ready, as Missouri has already invested a lot of time and effort in bringing the 6-8, 315-pound tackle to campus just for this reason.

Entering the spring, left guard wasn't supposed to be a position of much concern with Nate Crawford returning as the most experienced member of the position. But after his second back surgery, Crawford's status in August -- and perhaps the rest of his career -- is completely unknown.

So what's the answer? That's a tough one. Glen Elarbee said he doesn't want to keep moving guys to different positions, which was a common problem in the last two years. So, the hope has to be that new JUCO transfer Kyle Mitchell or one of the freshmen (most like Trystan Castillo or Tre'Vour Simms) takes command of that left guard spot, with Howell stepping up at left tackle. The other scenario -- and which may be more likely -- is that Alec Abeln moves to left guard (where he has played before) and Samson Bailey becomes the starting center. That could be more likely because in that situation, there's only one truly fresh face on the entire offensive line (Howell).

Got it?

Black is expected to be a big part of Missouri's offense.

1. The graduate transfers

Obviously, this isn't a position, but receiver Chris Black and running back Alex Ross will be under the microscope this August. They were brought in from Alabama and Oklahoma, respectively, to be immediate impact players.

They are one-and-done guys at Missouri, and after struggling on the depth chart at their previous schools for various reasons (injuries, crowded field, etc.), this is supposed to be the break-out year for both of them.

Having two transcendent skill-position players can make up for a lot of deficiencies in other areas. Yes, quarterback play will be important for Missouri this year, but we largely know the answer to that question mark already (Drew Lock will be the starter and will have to improve). But Ross and Black can give Missouri a multi-dimensional attack, take the pressure off of Lock and make up for inexperience on the offensive line.

How so?

Missouri's offensive tempo under Josh Heupel will be quick from snap-to-snap, but it's also going to be quick in terms of getting the ball up-field. Lock will have to get rid of the ball fast, and Chris Black needs to be the slot receiver who gets a lot of those targets. And, once the offense gets moving, Alex Ross needs to be the guy who takes advantage of tired defenses by getting the hand-off and getting up-field.

Are both guys ready? They were brought in to be.

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