Mizzou Football 2020 Positional Breakdowns: Defensive Backs
Excitement is buzzing for the returning and incoming Mizzou 2020 defensive backs.
The Tigers continue the trend of a veteran-seasoned group with the defensive backs. The defensive backs as a group last year weren’t amazing but did a great job of playing solid and even fared well in conference play.
CB1: Jarvis Ware– 6’1″, 190 lbs (Jr.)
2019 Stats:
Games Played: 11
Total Tackles: 27
Interceptions: 0
Last year, Ware took over one of Mizzou’s full-time starting cornerback jobs. Despite only being a true sophomore, Ware played exceptionally well going against the opponent’s best receivers. In back to back weeks against Georgia and Florida, Ware was able to rack up double-digit tackles in both games.
Ware’s competitiveness and physicality make him stand out as a corner. Ware refuses to back down from any receiver or team that Mizzou is facing. One thing that I would like for Ware to improve on as a corner is his footwork and technique. If both of those things are improved on before the season, I expect Ware to be playing on Sundays in 2021.
CB1A: Adam Sparks– 6’0″, 175 lbs (Sr.)
2019 Stats:
Games Played: 11
Total Tackles: 17
Interceptions: 0
Sparks has been a major contributor for the Tigers ever since he arrived on campus. Sparks is another experienced and big corner that is needed to compete against the wide receivers in the SEC.
Sparks didn’t have the breakout year that I expected out of him last year, but he still played well throughout the year. IQ and technique are what allow Sparks to make plays on the field. He is also blessed with a great frame for a defensive back.
I need Sparks to play more physical and angry this year. The senior from Louisiana has the size to absolutely smother opposing receivers, but time in and time out I don’t see him playing with the aggression that Ware plays with. If Sparks plays with just half of the anger and hunger that Ware does, then I would expect for Mizzou to have another terrific year as a defensive unit.
CB3: Chris Shearin– 5’11, 190 lbs (So.)
2019 Stats:
Games Played: 11
Total Tackles: 1
Interceptions: 0
Hailing from the high school powerhouse, IMG Academy, Shearin entered Mizzou with high expectations. The true freshman wasted no time last year and got straight to business.
Despite Mizzou regularly only playing two defensive backs and being behind two veteran and talented defensive backs, Shearin was able to see action in eleven of Mizzou’s twelve games.
Shearin is an extremely smart defensive back and knows where to be on the field. Ware and Sparks will still be the starters, but I still expect to see a lot of Shearin in the 2020 season.
CB4: Ishmael Burdine– 6’1, 190 lbs (Fr.)
2019 Stats:
Games Played: 1
Total Tackles: 1
Interceptions: 0
Burdine was one of the most exciting prospects in Mizzou’s 2019 recruiting class. ESPN and 247Sports ranked Burdine a four-star recruit.
During the summer Burdine got established quickly with the program, but an injury during fall camp forced him to miss the first eleven games. However, in the last game of the season, Burdine received playing time against rival, Arkansas.
Like Shearin, Burdine will not be a starter, but I expect to see him playing in the majority of Mizzou’s games.
Related Story. Mizzou Football 2020 positional breakdowns: Interior defensive line. light
WILD CARD: Ennis Rakestraw Jr.– 6’0, 170 lbs (Fr.)
Rakestraw is the most hyped recruit from the 2020 class. Rakestraw played at the powerhouse, Duncanville, and was one of their best players. Duncanville plays a national schedule and faces the best talent week in and week out.
Against the best competition, Rakestraw played even better. Rakestraw held five-star receiver Rakim Jarrett to 36 yards. Rakestraw is an extremely confident and talented corner. Rakestraw’s mentality reminds me of Ware, but I believe that his ceiling is much higher.
I don’t believe that Rakestraw will be a starter, but I do believe that he will challenge Shearin and Burdine for their positions on the depth chart. I am extremely excited to see what this young prospect does for this program this year and the years following.