Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
With outside uncertainty surrounding the Tiger offense in 2015, it’s not hard for Mizzou fans to imagine that anyone who makes a top-25 countdown or predicts who will win the SEC East isn’t really counting on a three-peat.
More from Football
- Believe it or not, Missouri football has never played these FBS teams
- The Missouri Tigers Set For 2023
- Missouri Tigers Vs. New Mexico State Recap
- Is Eli Drinkwitz the right coach for the Missouri Tigers
- More than bad luck beats the Missouri Tigers
But for me at this point, that would be to sell Gary Pinkel short. We don’t even need to get into all of the situations that Pinkel has dealt with, only to find winning ways time and time again. Setbacks and adaptation are his fortes, so until I’m shown otherwise, I have every reason to believe that Pinkel will pull off what he’s done before.
With that being said, let’s dissect the most recent depth chart for the offense and familiarize ourselves with most of the guys that will look to make things happen against some of the toughest defenses in college football.
MATY MAUK
Junior QB
Mauk comes into 2015 as an established field general. Overall his passing was moderate while expanding on a solid dual-threat capability last season. Will look to build familiarity with virtually unknown receivers while continuing his work in the Josh Henson system.
RUSSELL HANSBROUGH
Senior RB
This is Hansbrough’s year to come out and prove what he’s capable of after the years of work. The last of a group of three players called the ‘Three-Headed Monster’ (also Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy), Hansbrough has established himself as a dependable ball carrier and a strong leader off the field. Look for Hansbrough to come out strong and be near the top of the SEC in rushing if he can remain healthy.
J’MON MOORE
Sophomore WR (X-slot)
What can you say about a guy who caught two passes all of last season, both in the game against Georgia? Well, considering that Moore came off shoulder surgery that cut into his learning time in 2013, coaches are happy he’s on track to be a dependable guy in a key role. Moore came in as only a 3-star guy by Rivals (I don’t really know if that means anything anymore, anyway.) but when you see that he was sought after by Miami (FL), Nebraska, Michigan State, Oklahoma State and TCU among many others, you begin to understand that there’s something about him that others spotted as well.
WESLEY LEFTWICH
Senior WR (Z-slot)
The local guy is now the veteran. Leftwich is a former Hickman Kewpie who comes from a long line of quality Columbia-grown talent, but is now the eldest member of a group who will be trying to prove a lot of skeptics wrong. Despite his seniority, Leftwich is coming off a year where he only made four starts in 2014. His role in establishing an overall chemistry will be just as important for him as it is for any of the younger players.
NATE BROWN
Sophomore WR (H-slot)
Last but not least at wide-out, here is a guy who got a lot of recruiting attention when he joined and has a chance to light up the scoreboard for Mizzou. Brown came to Columbia by way of Suwanee, Georgia, a move that certainly has all of the “Mizzou dipped down into Georgia” appeal. It’s not as if he was overlooked by Mark Richt at Georgia, Brown was offered by UGA and Georgia Tech among the slew of suitors. Brown picked Mizzou because he believes in Pinkel and the Pinkel system.
SEAN CULKIN
Junior TE
A name of familiarity, Culkin has the on-field experience that can help the new guys grow together. Culkin’s ability to teach and communicate will be huge if the Tigers are going to come strong out of the gate. Culkin will be able to block the run better than he did last season, an exciting thought when you consider this combined with the rushing skill of Hansbrough.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The well-established Taylor Chappell has the left tackle spot after doing very well last season at right tackle. Mitch Hall will continue to build on the success he’s had at guard since transferring in from Ole Miss. Conner McGovern will handle the right guard spot, someone who’s dealt with being assigned to nearly spot on the line as one point. Evan Boehm will anchor the group at center. So out of those four starters, you have four seniors; something that carries incredible value. The lone non-senior is sophomore Clay Rhodes, a former No. 2 overall recruit out of the state of Kansas.
So what can we say about this group based on what we can see about them? To be honest, it’s not certain. But what we are certain about is that we can’t see a reason why Mizzou is out of the conversation to three-peat the SEC East. Again, until I’m shown that Pinkel can’t get it done, I have every reason to believe that he will use this group to adapt, something he’s already done before.