Missouri Tigers Spring Football Position Previews: Safety

We’re less than ten days away from their Black & Gold scrimmage for Missouri Tigers spring football on April 18th. After talking about the cornerbacks yesterday, let’s take a look at the other part of the secondary: the safeties.

Recent graduate and NFL hopeful Braylon Webb secured the last line of defense for the last three seasons and also served as a captain. Webb played strong safety along side senior-to-be Ian Simon, who played free safety.

Oct 25, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Latevius Rayford (86) catches a pass and is pushed out of bounds by Missouri Tigers safety Ian Simon (21) during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Like Webb, Simon will have to be a leader for the secondary as this will be his second year starting, and played quite a bit in 2013. Simon had 42 tackles in 2013 with 3.5 for loss and 54 tackles and 0.5 sacks to follow in 2014.

Simon is 6-foot 195 and, like the rest of the secondary, is fast. Fast enough to have Gary Pinkel list as the opening game kick returner for the 2014 season, but eventually Pinkel made the right call by giving that job back to Marcus Murphy. That’s not to knock Simon, but the fact that he was fast enough to be back there proves that he is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and may have reservations for six when he snags an interception.

Taking over for Webb at the strong safety position right now is redshirt sophomore Anthony Sherrils. Sherrils has an incredible story returning to the football field after nearly losing his life in a car accident in June of 2013. He has made a full recovery, and played on special teams in 2014.

We mentioned that this secondary was fast, and Sherrils is one of, if not the fastest of the bunch. He and redshirt freshman corner Raymond Wingo were the only ones to run a sub 4.3 forty this spring, and he may be a candidate to return punts and kicks. Right now he’s listed as the number one punt returner and number two kick returner behind John Gibson.

The major highlight that Sherrils had in 2014 was against Vanderbilt on a punt. He raced down to the field and struck the returner and caused a fumble, but a bogus targeting call wiped that away and Sherrils was ejected from the game. Nevertheless, that showed his speed and hit power, and Tiger fans will get to see that a lot more on the field this season.

Oct 25, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Trey Ellis (36) is hit by Missouri Tigers defensive back Anthony Sherrils (22) while receiving a punt during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The current backup to Simon is true sophomore Thomas Wilson. Wilson was one of five Tigers to play as a true freshman and played quite a bit in the rotation last year. He totaled 17 tackles and one for loss in 2014, and whether or not he starts or not, he’ll be a regular guy in the rotation in 2015.

Sherrils backup is redshirt junior Chaston Ward. Like Sherrils, Ward primarly played special teams the past two years, but could see some more time being that he’s a little older and has more experience. Ward played safety and quarterback in high school, so he may have a leg-up as far as reading quarterbacks eyes and cutting off routes.

The x-factor in the safety position race is Cortland Browning. Browning injured his foot late in the 2014 season and will be poised to make leave his mark as he is entering his senior year. At 6-foot-1, he is a little bigger than the other guys and will provide a little more experience to the position. If he is healthy, then he maybe the one to take over one of the spots.

Another guy that was counted on was Tavon Ross. Ross, a redshirt freshman, tore his ACL this spring and was probably going to see some time in the rotation. Although it’s unfortunate that he suffered that major of an injury, he may be back by September, according to the reports. Tiger fans want to see what he can do on the field, after he had one of the most ridiculous highlight tapes in high school at Bleckley County High School in Georgia.

This secondary in 2015 is one of the fastest and athletic ones Gary Pinkel has had in his time at Mizzou. This group is in the hands of new safeties coach Ryan Walters. Walters was the cornerbacks coach at Memphis with new defensive coordinator Barry Odom, and helped a massive improvement in the overall play of the defense there.

Walters is young at only 29, and although he’s relatively inexperienced, he may be able to relate to his players fairly easily. He is given a very talented group, and it’s on him to prove that he can coach them up and secure the back of the defense.

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