Big news for Mizzou football came out of Columbia, Missouri, and Columbus, Ohio, on Friday.
Mizzou football hit the practice field for the first time for training camp Friday in preparation for its 2019 season.
Big news came out of the day for the Tigers in the form of an NCAA ruling, but not the one people have been curious about for months.
It wasn’t positive, either.
Mizzou coach Barry Odom told reporters after practice that quarterback Shawn Robinson, quarterback transfer from TU, is not eligible to play this season. The NCAA denied his appeal for immediate playing time, and now he’ll have to sit out the season. Robinson was set to be the Tigers’ backup QB.
Odom said he wasn’t quite sure, but thought they might be out of appeals, but he will talk it over with Robinson’s family to see if there is anything else they could do.
The preseason depth chart was released with few to no changes from the depth chart released during SEC Media Days. Earlier this week, Missouri officially released its roster, and defensive end Tre Williams was back on the team.
He’ll have to fight his was back toward the top of the depth chart, as the junior was not on the two-deep.
Top camp battles right now appear to be at left guard between Larry Borom and Case Cook and at linebacker between Nick Bolton and Aubrey Miller Jr.
Bolton played in all 13 games last season and made 22 tackles, so he has the inside track on that job.
Other battles include backup spots at QB, cornerback and the defensive line, for now.
Taylor Powell is going up against freshman Connor Bazelak and junior Lindsey Scott Jr. to sit behind Kelly Bryant.
Meanwhile, former wide received Richaud Floyd appears to be going for the fourth CB spot against Jarvis Ware. Adam Sparks should have the No. 3 spot pretty secure behind DeMarkus Any and Christian Holmes.
Floyd made an impressive interception on Day 1, according to Mizzou’s football camp notes.
It is unclear where D-Lineman Akial Byers will line up this season, but he has a shot to be at end or tackle, as he is listed as a backup on both spots. He has a solid chance at coming out of camp as a starter.
Following the first day of camp, news broke of text messages between former Ohio State coaches Urban Meyer and Zach Smith as part of the investigation that led to Smith’s dismissal last year.
In texts between Urban, Smith and Ryan Day, it is read about the recruitment of Marcus Washington, a former Trinity Catholic wide receiver who would eventually sign with Texas.
The texts say that Missouri spent hours illegally speaking with Washington, and how Meyer wants to attack Missouri with graphics that show the difference between the two schools.
It’s highly likely nothing comes out of the exchange, as Ohio state released the messages as part of its cleanup on the investigation. But it was an interesting way to wrap up Day 1 for Missouri.