The 2025 edition of Mizzou’s defense was one of the top units in college football.
Corey Batoon’s squad was ranked 10th in Bill Connelly’s SP+ on defense and was seventh in success rate, swallowing up running backs at the line of scrimmage with regularity and allowing the Tigers to reach eight wins despite injuries and inconsistency at the quarterback position.
But MU is working to put together the final puzzle pieces of this year’s talented but inexperienced defense with kickoff less than three weeks
away.
Part of the team’s strategy for identifying the right pieces: holding out seasoned veterans to provide more tests for the players competing at unsettled spots.
Eli Drinkwitz has held out several starters, including cornerback Chris Graves Jr. and safety Santana Banner on the defensive side, in some practice situations over the last few days as the team works to solidify its depth chart.
“There was really no reason for us to put them out there in jeopardy,” Drinkwitz said during a session with the media Saturday, “and it’s really about developing the other part of our roster.”
Graves, who played in every game and made nine starts last season at Ole Miss, has established a firm grip on the top cornerback spot. But the rest of the rotation remains unsettled, with five players mentioned as options by Drinkwitz.
“I think there’s a lot of ability there and it’s just about who’s going to make plays on the ball: who can cause incompletes and then force takeaways,” Drinkwitz said, “So every day we’re just continuing to try to get reps and stack fundamentals and see who’s going to be that guy for us.”
Jahlil Florence and Sione Laulea, both former Oregon Ducks, have impressed recently in practice and seem to have the edge right now for next up at cornerback. Nick DeLoach Jr., Cameron Keys and freshman Jaxson Gates also remain in the mix, though.
The STAR position has also not been finalized, though Auburn transfer Kensley Louidor-Faustin seems to have the upper hand on C.J. Bass.
“There’s been really good competition. I think C.J. Bass had a really good day too at the STAR position, had a takeaway,” Drinkwitz said, “So I’m pleased with where that position is going.”
Heavy turnover is also expected at the edge rusher position, where both Damon Wilson II (portal) and Zion Young (draft) departed this offseason — and the team brought in several transfers.
But the Tigers appear set to fill those spots internally with Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen, who combined for 29 tackles and six tackles for loss alongside four sacks (all of them by Smith) in 2025.
“Langden’s been one of those guys that we’ve asked him and Darris to take on a bigger role as leaders and really make a jump, and he’s done an excellent job,” Drinkwitz said. “Him and coach Early have been really focusing on their pass rush and how to create more pass rush, and he’s been a nightmare for our guys before.”
Picture Begins to Clear on Offense
Mizzou appears to be firming up its plans for the offensive line, though.
Drinkwitz said he expects Mississippi State transfer Luke Work to start at right tackle, bookending the line with Cayden Green. Josh Atkins was initially favored to be the right tackle before he was sidelined by an injury.
“I feel pretty good that Cayden and Luke are kind of our starters,” Drinkwitz said, “and we’ve got to figure out who’s out third tackle between Logan [Reichert] and Jack [Lange] and even Whit Hafer.”
Left guard is now the only remaining spot left to finalize on the offensive line. Zack Owens was one of the team’s major offensive line additions in the offseason after starting 10 games last year at Mississippi State, but Tristan Wilson is also making a push for the spot.
“Tristan has developed himself into a starter in the SEC and really one of our most versatile players,” Drinkwitz said, “With holding [Dominick Giudice] out today, we moved Tristan into the center position — and I mean, he handled everything from candence to snap count to identification. We didn’t really miss a beat.”
Possibly the biggest uncertainty left on offense is when consensus All-American Ahmad Hardy will return. Drinkwitz and the team’s staff will know more on Aug. 22.
“We’ll sit down with the doctors and evaluate where he’s at,” he said. “He still isn’t able to get into walk-through stuff, but he’s progressing in the weight room and in his speed training.”
Special Teams Consistency
One of the few areas where the Tigers have clarity on their depth chart is special teams. Blake Craig is set to return at kicker after missing most of last year and Florida State transfer Brunno Reus has locked down the starting punting job.
Drinkwitz is looking for greater consistency out of Craig, who he said had a down performance at practice Saturday after going 4-for-4 in the portion of practice open to the media the day before.
He also mentioned that Reus has looked good in camp, but there’s always uncertainty until the season actually arrives.
“We won’t know until we put it all together,” he said, “But he’s been consistently punting the ball well; we’ve just got to make sure our protection and coverage is good.”
Mizzou made significant changes to its special teams units this offseason, bringing in John Papuchis from Florida State to be its new coordinator. His units with the Seminoles ranked among the top 10 in the nation (by SP+) multiple times during his six years in Tallahassee.
“I think JP’s done a really good job getting his schemes in, guys buying in to what we’re doing,” Drinkwitz said, “It looks different, feels a little different than what we’ve done in the past, which is good.”
A unit similar to the ones he put together at Florida State would be welcomed by the Tigers, who had a top-50 offense and defense last season but ranked outside the top-100 on special teams.
MU looks to continue developing and putting together the final pieces of the puzzle during the last week of fall camp, which wraps up Aug. 22. MU kicks off the 2026 season Sep. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Columbia.
