Mizzou football continued its busy transfer portal overhaul with the addition of veteran offensive tackle Josh Atkins, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman from Arizona State who brings significant P4 experience
and a streak of durability to a unit in flux.
Atkins, a redshirt senior from Arlington, Texas, announced his commitment to the Tigers last week and enters the 2026 season with 39 consecutive starts across stints at Hawaii and Arizona State. He began his collegiate career at Houston in 2021 but didn’t play in a game during his first two seasons.
Where he fits
Atkins will most likely find a home as the starting right tackle, replacing All-SEC RT Keagan Trost. This will give the Tigers a seasoned presence on the edge and help stabilize a line that lost two starters to graduation and multiple back ups to the portal. There’s also a chance his arrival could allow All-SEC LT Cayden Green to slide back to his native left guard spot, where he excelled before moving to tackle in 2025. That alignment, if it comes to pass, would balance Missouri’s offensive front with experienced starters across the interior and edge.
When he’ll play
Expect Atkins in the starting lineup from day one. With one year of eligibility remaining and a pressing need for veteran tackle play, he should step into a prominent role immediately and be counted on to anchor the right side of the line. Missouri’s offense, which is undergoing a significant overhaul across the board, is in need of experience in the trenches, and will gain a blocker familiar with P4 competition in his final season of eligibility.
What it means
Atkins’ addition not only boosts depth at a premium position but also creates positional flexibility up and down the line. For a Tigers offense aiming to establish consistency up front, adding a starter with Atkins’ track record could pay immediate dividends.
Drinkwitz and offensive line coach Brandon Jones have prioritized adding seasoned blockers this offseason, and Atkins’ resume fits that blueprint. Over 2,000 career snaps, he logged extensive action, including 439 pass-blocking snaps last season in which he allowed just three sacks and 18 total pressures.
With his work ethic and sustained availability, Atkins gives Missouri a rare blend of starting experience and positional versatility on a line that figures to be central to the team’s success in 2026.
