Mizzou Football: New starter on defense

With Cale Garrett’s season ending injury, there will be a new face at starting at linebacker.

Mizzou football linebacking corp has been very active this season thanks to huge production from Nick Bolton and Cale Garrett. But due to Garrett’s injury, there will be a new starter on defense.

Cameron Wilkins is a sophomore from Del Valle, Texas. He came to Mizzou as a three-star recruit after an active high school career that saw him play linebacker, running back and running track.

Last season as a freshman, he played in 11 games mostly as a special teamer. His work ethic, however, made an impact on the coaching staff. At the end of last season he was awarded the 2018 Brick Squad Lifter of the Year and the 2018 Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year.

Wilkins is a high-IQ linebacker with great athletic ability. He’s also been relatively active this year, totaling 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.

Replicating Garrett’s production is close to impossible as he was having an All-American worthy season. However, Wilkins has worked hard since he arrived at Mizzou and this is the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

Wilkins’ athleticism should help to keep opposing run games in check, and his IQ could help him ball hawk like Garrett has done. With Bolton by his side, Missouri should still have a great linebacking corp.

As for the rest of the defense, they’ve been near the top of the country in almost every defensive category.

Ole Miss will be the first opponent Wilkins will face as a starter. The Rebels average 203 passing yards per game and 234 rushing yards per game while scoring an average of 27.2 points per outing.