Mizzou football wraps up week one of fall camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz saw progress in quite a few areas through the first few sessions of fall camp, however, he emphasized that the group is just one week in. He added there is still a lot of work to be done.

You can watch extended highlights of Saturday's practice in the video player below.

It was the first week that offensive line coach Brandon Jones got to be with his group. Coach Eli already said he can see some immediate changes.

"There's been a whole lot of improvement on the offensive line," he said. "I've been really impressed with the way Connor Tollison has attacked this camp, he looks like he's having fun again. He's enjoying running the show and competing. Been very impressed with the way he's continued to attack."

One aspect Drinkwitz didn't seem to happy with though, came on the wide receiver end. He said that that group has to do a better job of blocking on the perimeter and added it's been embarrassing for him up to this point.

"No block, no rock," he said.

The storyline in every single room Drinkwitz has continues to be depth. This is likely the deepest team that Coach Eli has had in his time in Columbia. From wide receiver to defensive back, the coaching staff will have options on who will hit the field in 2023.

One of the biggest focuses is the quarterback competition. Returning starter Brady Cook, rising sophomore Sam Horn and Miami-transfer Jake Garcia look like the front runners in the ongoing fight for the title of QB1.

Cook is returned to the field this fall, after undergoing shoulder surgery before spring camp. He played through a torn labrum for much of the 2022 season. Drinkwitz said, although the first day's pace may have been a lot for him, Cook's return from rehab is going well.

"He's picked up where he left off," Drinkwitz said. "He's settled in, but everybody's had different plays where they've looked really good and different plays where they got to go back and correct it. Whether it's throwing a touchdown today or whether it's on first down, taking a sack, I mean, both of those plays have got to be consistent."

Mizzou will continue practice on Sunday morning.