Missouri Football: Drew Lock and other Tigers named to All-SEC team

Quarterback Drew Lock became the first Tiger named first-team All-SEC since former quarterback Chase Daniel was named first-team All-Big 12, in 2007.

The award should come as no surprise, since Lock lead the SEC in passing yards last year and this year. In addition to leading the conference, Lock also broke school and conference passing records, this year.

Wide receiver J’Mon Moore, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and defensive end Marcel Frazier represented Mizzou with Lock, but were named to the second-team All-SEC.

I would agree with most who say that Lock’s numbers are inflated, given the Tigers’ performance against FCS opponents, such as Delaware State (2016) and Missouri State. Missouri also played what many consider a “soft” non-conference schedule, which allowed Lock to further exploit less superior defenses.

Missouri Tigers Football

At the end of the day, however, Lock still had to put in the work connecting with receivers and work through pregame preparations.

This year, Lock had 3,695 passing yards, which surpassed his production from last year (3,399), and there’s still a bowl game to go.

Earlier in the season, Lock struggled against SEC opponents, but after the team’s bye week, he went on a tear, amassing 2,580 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.

In all, Lock has thrown 43 touchdown passes this season. The only team that prevented Lock from heaving a scoring pass was Purdue.

At this point, many are awaiting Lock’s decision: Will he declare for the NFL draft and go pro, or will he return to Missouri for his senior year? I think it would be in his best interest, and would be of great benefit to the team if he played one more year for the Tigers.

If Lock leads Mizzou to a bowl win against Texas in the Texas Bowl, then that will certainly raise his draft stock, and might make a move to the pros a little more enticing. However, one more year at the collegiate level can only help Lock’s development, and might make him a more appealing prospect to start on an NFL team.

Next: Tiger Takeaways: Season wrap-up

There are the detractors for remaining in college; the biggest among those, is the potential for injury, which is understandable. I do believe, however, that Lock has the potential and the talent to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, given another year of development at Missouri. Another reason to stay in school? Cleveland is looking for (another) quarterback.