I figured an easy way to preview this team was to do introductions, or in some cases re-introductions, to our different position groups. By this point most of you know I don’t consider myself a football expert, so I’ll be approaching this in a little bit of a different way.
Previous Previews: LINEBACKERS | CORNERBACKS | SAFETIES | DEFENSIVE ENDS | DEFENSIVE TACKLES | OFFENSIVE LINE | WIDE RECEIVERS
After spending the 2024 season in a split backfield, Mizzou is likely to veer away from the running back committee
after picking up a top portal runner.
After losing Cody Schrader — who was a First-Team All-America selection by the Associated Press and rushed for 1,627 yards in his senior season — the team shifted to a two-headed monster in 2024. Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll rushed for a combined 1,447 yards helping the Tigers fill Schrader’s void.
Now in 2025, the team is without Noel and Marcus. New faces are going to have to make an impact if the team wants to continue being a presence in the run game.
There are 6 listed offensive linemen on the MUTigers.com online roster. Again, let’s start with just names, height, weight, class and hometown:
- Marquise Davis, 6-0, 213, Freshman, Cleveland, OH
- Brendon Haygood, 5-10, 190, Freshman, Wylie, TX
- Jamal Roberts, 6-0, 212, R-Sophomore, St. Louis, MO
- Tavorus Jones, 5-9, 207, R-Junior, El Paso, TX
- Ahmad Hardy, 5-10, 206, Sophomore, Oma, MS (transferred from UL-Monroe in 2025)
- Anthony Favrow, 5-8, 206, Senior, San Clemente, CA
Of the six, half of them are new to the program. Let’s break it down.
THE STAR OF THE SHOW
Missouri went all in on the portal this season, acquiring 22 transfers, which ranks fifth in the SEC. Arguably one of the team’s best pull was Louisiana Monroe running back Ahmad Hardy, who could lead all SEC rushers in yards this season.
Ahmad Hardy — Hardy made a big splash during his true freshman season at Louisiana Monroe. He finished the year with 1,351 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, with a rushing average of 5.7 yards per carry. His rushing total ranked 12th in the country and just a reminder: he was a freshman.
Hardy has high expectations for a first-year SEC starter but if he’s anything like his teammates have been hyping him up in camp, he should be a force to be reckoned with this season.
KEY RETURNERS
The team returns just three running backs, less than half of its group from last season. With a bunch of new faces, these guys will look to be leaders for the RB room.
Jamal Roberts — Roberts returns for his third season with the team after redshirting his true freshman season. Roberts is the leading returner in rush yards from last season with 216 yards on 53 carries. He’ll look to be a good support option for Hardy and will likely be the clear number two RB on the team.
Tavorus Jones — Jones saw minimal work with Mizzou’s first team last season, rushing for 55 yards on 13 carries. Jones is entering his fourth season with the team after playing just 49 career snaps in his first three seasons. He’ll look to continue growing his role on the team.
Anthony Favrow — Favrow enters his fourth season with the Tigers with two game appearances totaling two snaps. In his final season, he’ll look to be a backup option if others in the depth chart were to get hurt.
YOUNGSTERS
With a smaller running back group, there’s more opportunity for younger guys to see reps.
Marquise Davis — Davis was a four-star prospect out of Cleveland, Ohio, and pledged to Mizzou over Michigan Duke and Kentucky. He’ll get some good experience behind Hardy for a couple of seasons, but he is definitely someone that Drinkwitz is keeping his eye on.
Brendon Haygood — Haygood reigns from Sachse, Texas, and he chose Mizzou as a three-star prospect. He’ll be alongside Davis, learning from the guys above them, and eventually hoping to take a role on the team.
WHO’S GONNA PLAY?
Hardy is expected to take a large bulk of the work, but I’d expect Jamal Roberts to take some reps when Hardy is tired. Either way, this is a new look Tigers offense that will run entirely different to what the team looked like last year.
My guess is that the team functions a little more like it did in 2023, when Schrader was a top SEC rusher. Players on the team continue to hype up Hardy but it won’t be until the first game that Mizzou fans can truly see it in action.
