Eli Drinkwitz talks player development and adding value as spring camp continues

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou football team is in the middle of spring camp and head coach Eli Drinkwitz said ahead of the fifth practice that the best parts has been watching the young guys/transfers sharpen their skills, as well as seeing the veterans continue to compete.

Drinkwitz also said this is a time to push the limits and test out the things that can take both sides of the ball up a notch.

"On the defensive side of the ball, I don't think any of us have arrived or are where we want to be," Drinkwitz said. "It's not like we finished in the top 10 in the country in defense, so there's a lot of room for improvement there."

Watch extended highlights from Thursday's practice in the player below.

"On the offensive side of the ball, it's tough because we're going against the defense that is established and we're putting in new things, so maybe we don't have as good of a grasp or are able to execute quite as fast as other guys because they're thinking, but we're working and we'll get there."

The Mizzou quarterback situation is similar to what it was a year ago with a lot of question marks around who will be the starter. During spring camp, last year's starter Brady Cook is sidelined after having shoulder surgery and Sam Horn is limited due to a shoulder injury while playing with the Mizzou baseball team.

Drinkwitz said this has allowed for Miami transfer Jake Garcia and walk-on Dylan Laible to show what they can do.

"I've been pleased with Jake's progression. He's got really good arm talent and does a nice job handling the offense," Drinkwitz said. "I've been really impressed with Dylan Laible because he has taken advantage of every rep that he has gotten since Sam is not full speed and he has really played well."

In the offseason, Drinkwitz had a lot of his team decide that they would return to Mizzou and use their final year of eligibility. He said the conversations that he had with the guys that were on the fence came from the wise words from Alabama head coach Nick Saban about "creating value for yourself."

"For us the conversation with our guys was 'what is the value that you can create for yourself by investing in yourself and this team for another year' and 'do you think you're as good as you're going to be or can you grow in another year and increase your value," Drinkwitz said. "You got your whole life to play in the NFL, but you have a short window to create that value for you."

Watch the full interview with Drinkwitz in the player above.