While former Mizzou edge Zion Young continues his dominance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, he's simultaneously showcasing why the Tigers may have a big problem on their hands in 2026.
The former edge for Missouri has been on a tear at the Senior Bowl, tossing aside offensive lineman like ragdolls. But while it's fun to see Young destroy the competition in Mobile, it raises some less fun questions about the Tigers' current roster.
Missouri lost both Young and Damon Wilson II after the 2025 season, and along with them a combined 15.5 sacks. While Eli Drinkwitz and company went out and landed a few edge rushers in the transfer portal, they'll have an uphill battle to exceed or even replace the production that left with the star duo.
The loss of Young and Wilson could loom large for Missouri in 2026
It's nice to see Young getting his flowers, and his Senior Bowl has surley boosted his NFL Draft stock, but it's hard not to look back at the Tigers' current roster and wonder where the production will come from. Missouri added edge players like Florida State transfer Jaden Jones and Louisville's CJ May, but neither have registered a sack yet albeit in limited action.
Young was top-15 in the country in pressures this past season with 56. That's a big number to try and fill the void. So did Mizzou do enough? Maybe, but if this season goes awry for the Tigers, one of the big reasons will probably be because of their inability to reach the quarterback.
Meanwhile, Young has probably already cemented himself as at least a second-round draft pick, and potentially even a first depending on how his week in Alabama finishes. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge has already been creeping up into the late first in some mock drafts.
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