As summer approaches, training camps are in full swing with football season just around the corner. The 2024 season will be the most anticipated for the University of Missouri in a decade. The University of Missouri is coming off a hot streak, defeating Ohio State 14-3 in last year's Cotton Bowl Classic, capping off the fifth 11-win season in school history.
Despite losing six players to the draft and several to the portal, Missouri was able to replenish all of its talent. With new NIL regulations changing the landscape on the sports front, the Tigers have taken full advantage of the system. Coach Drinkwitz has managed his recruiting from St. Louis and Kansas City well, keeping some of Missouri's top high school players in-state.
Missouri will be fun to watch because expectations are sky high. Now it's Missouri's turn with the new college football playoff format in place. Here are three reasons why Missouri will grow from last season to this one.
Looking at the 2024 roster, with the exception of Cody Schrader, Missouri returns most of its skill position players from last season. Brady Cook will continue to play center, along with Luther Burden, Theo Wease and Brett Norfleet. Burden was a preseason All-American and Wease will look to fill a similar role to last season as a solid second option. Brett Norfleet is a player to invest in, as the tight end scored three touchdowns in his freshman season last year. He is expected to be an elite talent heading into his sophomore campaign. The importance of returning players in a new era of college football may be overlooked, but Missouri wants to take advantage in 2024.
In place of Schröder, Missouri has used several talented players. The first move was to acquire Marcus Carroll out of Georgia State, who was 10th in college football in rushing yards in 2023. Carroll will compete with four-star running back Keywan Lacy out of Dallas, Texas. Lacy and Carroll should complement each other well, and it will be fun to watch them both develop throughout the season.
Missouri's defense ended last season in style, holding Ohio State to just three points in the Cotton Bowl. However, Missouri was dominant throughout the year and had five players selected in the NFL Draft. The loss of Darius Robinson, Ennis Rakestraw, Tyrone Hopper, Chris Abrams-Drain and Jaylon Carlies will certainly hurt Missouri in 2024 unless and until that happens. Missouri has done a great job of acquiring replacements for these stars through the transfer portal. The Tigers acquired LB Khalil Jacobs (South Alabama), LB Jeremiah Beasley (Michigan), DL Zion Young (Michigan State), LB Corey Flagg Jr. (Miami Florida), DL Chris McClellan (Florida) and DB Toriano Pride (Clemson). It might sound crazy, but the defense could be even better in 2024 despite losing a number of players, including defensive coordinator Blake Baker. After Baker's departure, Missouri hired Corey Batoon, a coordinator for 32 years, most recently at South Alabama. Batoon's aggressive defensive style should bode well for the young, hungry defensive backs.
In college football, sometimes a little bit of luck can be very beneficial, and that is certainly the case for Missouri in 2024. The Tigers will play a light non-conference schedule this season against Murray State, Buffalo and Boston College. Vegas said the Tigers will be ahead by a touchdown in all but three games this season: against Texas A&M (Oct. 5), Alabama (Oct. 26) and Oklahoma (Nov. 9). Missouri is very fortunate to avoid matchups like Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana State. For Missouri, this opening in the schedule came at a great time for the program, which will allow them to build the foundation for a sustainable football program for years to come.
Missouri will be full of confidence heading into the 2024 season. It's hard to say they wouldn't feel that way after the offseason's efforts. With key additions to their defense, returning offensive linemen and a favorable schedule this season, the Missouri Tigers are hoping to compete for a national championship. Elijah Drinkwitz has done something special in Columbia and the fans have full confidence in this team. Needless to say, the players have a sense that something special is happening. There is an excitement at the University of Missouri heading into the 2024 football season.
