SPRINGFIELD — The first college football game of the season is quickly approaching for Missouri State.
With the Bears taking on Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 5, first-year head coach Casey Woods announced the team’s two-deep depth chart.
Here are some takeaways from the first depth chart of the season.
Three new starters make up offensive line
One of Missouri State’s biggest position battles has been the offensive line. Three transfers are slated to start against Texas A&M.
Left tackle will be King Large from SMU, Coffeyville Community College transfers Sebastian Espinoza will play right tackle, while Isaiah Villanueva is the team’s center. Villanueva is a Jackson State transfer and was named one of the team’s captains.
Missouri State's depth chart before its Week 1 game vs Texas A&M: pic.twitter.com/xfvzhiAy8p
— Liam (@liamkeating7) September 1, 2026
Matthew Greene is the starter at left guard. He started six games for Missouri State in 2025. Third-year Missouri State player Ryan Mitchell will feature at right guard. Mitchell, a junior, will be making his first career start and his second overall appearance.
Breezy Dubar, Ramone Green Jr. listed as starting running backs
It’s been a battle for the starting running back role for Missouri State. Boise State transfer Breezy Dubar and Nixa’s Ramone Green Jr. have traded first team reps throughout camp.
On the depth chart, the two are listed at the top of the sheet with an ‘or’ designated beside their names. The ‘or’ means either player could be the starting running back.
For the past several weeks, Woods expressed that Dubar and Green were both ‘1A and 1B’ type players for the roster.
Jmariyae Robinson to take punt returns
Fifth-year wide receiver Jmariyae Robinson has been a regular at the kick return role for the Bears. He finished with 13 kick return averaging 19.4 yards per attempt.
According to the depth chart, Robinson will be the team’s punt return man. He has never caught a punt return during his Missouri State career. But Robinson’s speed, acceleration and vision could deliver some big plays giving Missouri State’s offense great field position.
Experience across the secondary
Throughout camp, Missouri State has leaned on the experience of the secondary.
Seniors Joel Kpassou and Joel Boamah are the starting corners. Rogersville’s J.J. O’Neal, a fifth-year, and senior Christina Ford are the team’s safeties. Also, junior Anthony Mattison is set to start at the star position.
This group has played a lot of football. They have seen a lot of different schemes and they could make plays against Texas A&M. In the future, they will be a top unit in Conference USA.
Local players highlight fullback room
Fifth-year Connor Lair is slated as the starting fullback for the Bears. The West Plains native will be backed up by true freshman Cash Pomeroy, who hails from Marionville.
Lair scored one touchdown for Missouri State last season. Pomeroy, who has been playing often during practice and scrimmages, was a three-time all-state selection in highs school. Pomeroy is the only freshman listed on Missouri State's two-deep depth chart.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Takeaways from Missouri State's first depth chart ahead of Texas A&M game
