Every spring in the transfer portal era brings change along collegiate offensive lines, but the 2026 offseason has been an especially active one for Mizzou. Graduation and the transfer portal have reshaped the room once again, creating a mix of familiar faces, new arrivals and young players waiting for their opportunity.
Throughout the spring I’ll examine each position group to see who is competing for which spots and who has the likeliest chance to be starters on Sept. 5 (or earlier?) when Arkansas-Pine
Bluff comes to town. First up in this exercise is the position that once again is replacing about half its starters: the offensive line.
The Departures
- Connor Tollison, Starting Center
- Keagan Trost, Starting Right Tackle
- Jayven Richardson, Second String Left Tackle
- Keiton Jones, Redshirt Freshman
- Henry Fenuku, Redshirt Freshman
- Brandon Solis, Reserve Tackle
- Johnny Williams IV, Reserve Tackle
- Jaylen Early, Reserve Tackle
Connor Tollison and Keagan Trost were the headline losses as starters who logged significant snaps. Not only were they both starters in 2025, but they combined for 11 years of collegiate experience, nine of those years as starters in Division I. Beyond those two, much of the attrition came from the developmental and depth tier of the roster. Keiton Jones and Henry Fenuku were redshirt freshmen who had yet to carve out meaningful roles. Solis was never able to crack the two-deep while Johnny Williams IV and Jaylen Early had high hopes for earning tackle spots at Mizzou after transferring in from other P4 programs. Neither was able to break into the rotation.
Jayven Richardson was the exception. He stepped in for an injured Cayden Green and played well in two starts, showing he could hold his own in SEC competition. Still, he was not necessarily in line to earn a starting role in 2026 with Green returning and other veterans and transfers in the mix. Overall, the losses hurt the numbers more than the projected starting lineup, though losing multiple young players continues a trend that has forced the staff to be aggressive in rebuilding depth through the portal.
The Returners
- Cayden Green (Senior) *Starting Left Tackle
- Curtis Peagler (RS-Junior) *Starting Right Guard
- Dominick Giudice (RS-Senior) *Starting Interior Lineman
- Logan Reichert (RS-Junior)
- Tristan Wilson (RS-Senior)
- Ryan Jostes (RS-Sophomore)
- Whit Hafer (RS-Sophomore)
- Jack Lange (RS-Freshman)
- Chace Missouri (RS-Sophomore Walk on)
- Joe Schranz (RS-Freshman Walk on)
Cayden Green is the highlight of the returners in this unit, as he serves as the anchor of the line and one of the top linemen in the conference after earning All-SEC honors at left tackle in 2025. His presence alone stabilizes the line and gives Mizzou a premium piece at a premium position.
Curtis Peagler and Dominick Giudice return as interior starters, Peagler providing continuity at right guard, and Guidice most likely moving from left guard to center. That trio gives the Tigers a reliable core to build around as the rest of the line sorts itself out.
Among the reserves, veteran Tristan Wilson stands out as a player who has been around the program and could push for starting snaps. Redshirt freshman Jack Lange and junior Logan Reichart remain the most intriguing developmental prospects; both talented young linemen could compete sooner rather than later if their progression (and health) continues. Jostes and Hafer round out a group that offers experience and depth but still needs to prove it can handle expanded roles.
Newcomers
- Josh Atkins (RS-Senior transfer from Arizona St.)
- Zach Owens (RS-Senior transfer from Mississippi St.)
- Luke Work (Junior transfer from Mississippi St.)
- Will Kemna (RS-Freshman transfer from Kansas St.)
- Colin Sorensen (Junior transfer from Charleston Southern)
- Brandon Anderson (Freshman)
- Braylon Ellison (Freshman)
- Khalief Canty Jr. (Freshman)
Josh Atkins is the most likely to earn a starting job right away. He is expected to compete immediately at right tackle, a spot that was a priority for the staff to address after putting their last two right tackles in the NFL in Armand Membou and Keagon Trost. Further, incoming quarterback Austin Simmons is a lefty, increasing the importance of having a strong blind side blocker on the right side.
The two gentlemen from Starkville are also expected to compete for playing time. Zach Owens will push for the left guard role presumably vacated by Guidice as he shifts to center. Owens has the experience and physical profile to be a factor from the moment he arrives, while Luke Work’s versatility makes him one of the more interesting additions. He can play multiple interior positions, which gives him a path to the two-deep at guard or center and makes him valuable insurance if injuries arise.
Will Kemna and Colin Sorensen add depth to the unit, while the incoming freshmen are viewed as longer-term projects.
Spring speculation
Despite the churn, the picture at the top of the depth chart is clearer than it has been in recent years. That does not eliminate competition, but it does give the Tigers a relatively defined starting point as spring practice approaches. If things break as expected, the first team line will feature Green at left tackle, Owens at left guard, Giudice at center, Peagler at right guard and Atkins at right tackle. That group blends returning production with portal experience and gives the Tigers a veteran-heavy lineup to open the season.
That does not mean the competition is settled. Wilson, Lange, Reichert and Work all have opportunities to carve out meaningful roles, whether as starters or key rotation pieces. Injuries, development and spring performance will determine how tight that race becomes.
For now, the clarity at the top is notable. After years of uncertainty and constant reshuffling, coach Brandon Jones enters spring with a defined blueprint for its offensive line, even as the battle for depth and future roles continues.
