Week One Depth Chart Analysis
Mizzou released its week one depth chart on Tuesday morning. There weren't a ton of surprises. Take a look at the two-deep entering the season opener against Tennessee-Martin with some of our thoughts below.
OFFENSE
Taylor Powell drawing even with Micah Wilson at quarterback was somewhat of a surprise. Coming out of spring, the intel was that Powell was fourth or fifth on the depth chart, but he made up serious ground in fall camp, passing both Jack Lowary and Lindsey Scott Jr. Obviously Drew Lock is going to take every meaningful snap, but look for Wilson and Powell to get some time this weekend because the Tigers have to know what they have in case catastrophe strikes and Lock misses time.
No surprises at at all running back. Larry Rountree III and Damarea Crockett will split most of the carries with Memphis freshman Tyler Badie offering a change of pace. Look for Dawson Downing to potentially get mop-up carries.
Four freshmen are listed on the depth at wide receiver with Dominic Gicinto, Kam Scott and Jalen Knox all making the two deep. Alex Ofodile is in a dead heat with Knox at one receiver spot so that battle will likely be ongoing. Kam Scott making the two-deep indicates he's likely to play beyond the four-game threshold where he could maintain his redshirt.
Tight end was Missouri's most settled position. Albert Okwuegbunam and Kendall Blanton will take almost every meaningful rep. Logan Christopherson and Brendan Scales will likely battle for the third spot, but Daniel Parker Jr. looks like a guy who could be used primarily as a blocker.
The offensive line shakes out as expected with all five starters returning. The only mild surprise might be Samson Bailey making the two-deep at left guard, but the top five will get most of the reps.
DEFENSE
At defensive end, we had thought Nate Anderson could get the nod ahead of Tre Williams, but Williams holds down the top spot. The notable omission is that neither Jatorian Hansford or Trajan Jeffcoat is listed on the depth chart.
Walter Palmore and Jordan Elliott are co-starters at one defensive tackle spot. Look for Palmore to play more when Terry Beckner Jr. is on the field and Elliott to be paired more with Rashad Brandon.
At linebacker, after hearing Nick Bolton's name nearly every day at practice, the freshman from Texas is listed as the third-stringer. Aubrey Miller Jr. managed to hold on to the second spot. Jamal Brooks and Jacob Trump are listed as even as the backup middle linebacker.
There are no surprises in the secondary. The two-deep is exactly as we expected coming out of camp, though you can look for competition to continue at the safety spots throughout the first quarter of the season at least.
Missouri did not list punt and kickoff returners on the depth chart, but a team spokesperson said that Badie and Rountree will return kickoffs. Slot receiver Johnathon Johnson will get the first crack at returning punts, and Gicinto will back him up.
Stay tuned for continuing coverage of Mizzou's first media availability of the regular season.