Missouri Tigers Positional Preview: Secondary

The back end of the defense is one of the more experienced units on the team, and should be a strength for the Tigers in 2016:

Despite losing multiple starters, the Mizzou secondary comes back with just as much experience if not more the next season. Kenya Dennis and Ian Simon left, but the returning players should make for a good year for the Tigers secondary.

Cornerbacks: Aarion Penton, Sr. and John Gibson, R-Sr.

Penton has been starting for the Tigers for three years. A true freshman during the 2013 campaign, he replaced E.J. Gaines when Gaines went down with an injury in the middle of the season. As a sophomore he made 12 starts in 13 games and racked up 36 tackles, made three interceptions and broke up ten passes. After being named the most improved cornerback during the spring of 2015, he had an excellent junior season with 59 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions. Teams avoided him last year and they will do so again this season.

Gibson was a backup last year but still saw action in all 12 games with 12 tackles, two passes defended and an interception. His lone pick changed the game as it set up the game tying score as his 35 yard return got into the red zone. During the 2013 and 2014 seasons he saw action in every game, and in 2014 got his first five career starts. Last season set a personal low in number of tackles but he should set a new personal high this season.

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Safeties: Anthony Sherrils, R-Jr. and Anthony Hines, Jr.

Sherrils became a starter last season after seeing action on special teams during the 2014 season. He jumped from 13 tackles in 2014 to 64 last season, third on the team. He had one interception last season and six pass breakups. In addition, he set a new career high with eight tackles in three different games last season–against Florida, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. I expect a big year from him this season.

Hines joined the Tigers last August after spending his freshman year at San Mateo College in California. During his freshman season had 22.5 tackles and three picks. Despite an injury keeping him out most of fall practice before the 2015 season, he still saw action in nine games last season. He made a pair of tackles and saw some time on special teams as well. He should be the favorite to land the starting job opposite Sherrils.