We’re in the business of reading too far into rotations and snaps during preseason. After all, what else are we going to talk about?
That being said, the regular season starts in less than a week and one topic of conversation hasn’t been laid to rest. And it’s one that, unlike many in fall camp, is worth plenty of discussion. So much so that Eli Drinkwitz even felt the need to quell the fervor on his Paul Finebaum appearance yesterday
“I think we’ve solidified what we’re doing there,” Drinkwitz said
of the offensive line.
Sure, boss! Whatever you say!
Much of Mizzou’s offseason portal activity has been spent bringing in experienced offensive linemen with the hope of mitigating the loss of both Armand Membou and Cam’Ron Johnson. Dominick Giudice, Keagen Trost, Johnny Williams IV, Jaylen Early, Jack Powers… if you throw enough solutions at the problem, eventually it’ll get fixed… right?
Well, if fall camp is any indication, the results thus far have been mixed. While both Dominick Giudice and Keagen Trost seem to have solidified starting roles for themselves at left guard and right tackle, respectively, it hasn’t been an easy process to get there. The current configuration of the line – one that features Cayden Green moving outside on the left, Curtis Peagler being promoted to the inside right and Connor Tollison holding up the middle – only came together at the beginning of this week. Green, an NFL prospect who spent the vast majority of his first season at left guard, is now moving to a position where he lacks experience while Giudice, a rotational option during his time at Michigan, is taking over his old spot. While you would bet on Green to have enough quality to survive at the all-important LT spot, it’s generally not good practice to shuffle your best lineman out of his best position.
Additionally, Green’s move inside leaves Tollison vulnerable at center. The graduate is looking for a bounce back season after his rough senior campaign, and he’ll have to ensure the interior of the line is strong enough to withstand the presence of two relative newcomers to the starting five. Peagler provides program continuity, but has never played more than 36 snaps in a single season as a fourth-year veteran. Giudice, on the other hand, has spent most of his career at center and right guard and is now being asked to protect the Mizzou QB’s blind area. That’s a tall order for a guy who has yet to see SEC pass-rushers and run-stuffers in action.
There’s also a question of what happened to some of the other talents Mizzou has on the roster. After being hailed as a major get for the staff, former blue-chipper Logan Reichert has yet to secure a major role for himself on the line. Johnny Williams IV, one of the highest ceiling linemen on the portal market, appears to have slipped to a minor rotational role for the time being. Jayven Richardson, who appeared to be the LT heir apparent, has faded through August. If three of the starting positions on Mizzou’s line have been usurped by newcomers and another required your best player to move out of position, what does that say about depth on hand?
Mizzou doesn’t have the luxury of a few blood donor games to start the year in 2025. While Central Arkansas should provide the staff the opportunity to mix-and-match in Week One, welcoming the Jayhawks to Faurot in Week Two represents a major test. At the very least, it’s a game where instability in the trenches could spell danger for a contest that a lot of fans will view as unloseable. Drinkwitz and staff have had an entire offseason to build a plan in this all-important area, yet six days from kickoff and the “answer” feels more than a little slapdash.
It may not be time to panic yet. Mizzou has a robust QB group on its hands and plenty of talented playmakers to potentially mask a line that will need time to gel.
But despite Drinkwitz’s assurances, this is still a puzzle that feels incomplete. And it’s one he needs to finish. Fast.
