The Tigers fearsome pass rush was the engine of its excellent 2025 defense. Now it is one of the biggest question marks heading into 2026.
The Tigers are replacing two future NFL draft picks off the edge, a daunting task for any program. Elite [ass rushing production does not simply roll over from one season to the next (at least not at Mizzou since the days of Craig Kuligowski.) If Mizzou is going to maintain its defensive success in 2026, they will need returning players to elevate their games and
newcomers to quickly carve out meaningful roles. So let’s take a look at how the roster sets up for the battle of the edge:
The Departures
- Zion Young, Starting Defensive End
- Damon Wilson II, Starting Defensive End
- Nate Johnson, Back Up Defensive End
- Javion Hilson, Reserve Defensive End
The headline losses are obvious. Young has skyrocketed up draft boards and is now projected by many as a potential first-round pick come April. His blend of length, burst and finishing ability made him one of the SEC’s most disruptive edge defenders last season.
Wilson’s exit was more surprising. After flashing high-end ability opposite Young, he transferred to Miami, leaving the Tigers without their bookend pass rushers. Together, Young and Wilson accounted for a combined 15.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss; production that will not be easily replicated by any one (or even two) players.
Beyond the top two, the unit also lost depth. Johnson transferred again after just one season in Columbia, and Hilson, a talented freshman, moved on after barely seeing the field in his first collegiate season. The result is a defensive end room that is both top-heavy in its losses and thinner overall.
The Returners
- Darris Smith (RS-Senior)
- Langdon Kitchen (Senior)
- Daeden Hopkins (RS-Freshman)
Darris Smith is the clear headliner among the returners and a near lock to start. He logged the most snaps of anyone coming back to the position and turned in a four-sack campaign in 2025. With Young and Wilson gone, Smith should see more one-on-one opportunities and more chances to hunt quarterbacks.
Langdon Kitchen, the transfer from Northwest Missouri State, steadily earned more playing time as the 2025 season progressed. He served as Young’s primary backup and showed he could hold up against SEC tackles. While he doesn’t possess Young’s explosive athleticism, he has the size and strength to set the edge, particularly on early downs.
Hopkins is the wildcard. The redshirt freshman drew praise from Eli Drinkwitz late in the 2025 season and has the physical tools to develop into a quality SEC pass rusher. His combination of length and athleticism gives him real upside if he can translate it into consistent production.
The Newcomers
- Demarcus Johnson (Junior transfer from Hutchinson CC)
- Malik Bryant (RS-Junior transfer from Miami)
- Jaden Jones (RS-Senior transfer from Florida State)
- CJ May (RS-Freshman transfer from Louisville)
- Cavan Tuley (Senior transfer from Houston)
The coaching staff attacked the portal to reinforce the edge group with talent, even if much of it remains unproven. Demarcus Johnson arrives as one of the top junior college players in the country and brings intriguing athleticism to the room. Malik Bryant played sparingly for national runner-up Miami but has the pedigree and physical profile to compete for a starting role immediately. Jaden Jones, an under-the-radar transfer from Florida State, will also factor into the spring competition.
CJ May is a former four-star recruit who projects as more of a developmental piece, though his pass-rushing traits give him long-term appeal. Cavan Tuley may not be penciled into the defensive rotation, but he should provide value on special teams and add depth to the edge room.
Spring speculation
There is no sugarcoating the task ahead, the Tigers must replace 15.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss from Young and Wilson alone. That type of production rarely comes from a single breakout player. It will likely require a committee approach.
Darris Smith is expected to secure one starting spot this spring. The other edge position appears wide open, with Kitchen, Hopkins and Bryant among the top contenders. Johnson and Jones will also push for snaps, creating what could be one of the most competitive battles on the roster.
Depth will be critical for this unit as no two players are going to single-handedly replicate what Young and Wilson provided. Instead, the staff must identify at least three or four defensive ends capable of playing meaningful snaps and generating consistent pressure.
If the Tigers can develop that rotation this spring, the drop-off may be manageable. If not, a pass rush that was once the strength of the defense could become one of its defining concerns in 2026.
