Mizzou running backs prepare to fill Cody Schrader-sized hole
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
There is a lot of continuity on the offensive side of the football for Mizzou, between offensive coordinator Kirby Moore returning, quarterback Brady Cook leading for another season and a stacked wide receiver room. However, head coach Eli Drinkwitz and company will have to figure out what the running back situation will look like for the 2024 season.
You can watch extended highlights of Tuesday's practice in the video player below.
Former Tiger standout Cody Schrader moved on to the next level, following the 2023 season. He's earned an invitee to the NFL Combine and will compete at Mizzou's pro day on March 22, as well. With his departure, MU will look to find a new approach to that position.
In the offseason, Coach Drinkwitz brought two transfers into that room, in ex-Georgia State running back Marcus Carroll and ex-App State running back Nate Noel.
"They both have played a lot of football, so the learning curve for them is a lot less steep than it would be for an incoming freshman. After about a week or so, they were full speed ahead," running backs coach Curtis Luper said, on Tuesday.
You can watch the full press conference with Luper in the video player below.
Luper worked closely with Schrader in his time in Columbia and said he knows a guy with a work ethic like that will find a place in the NFL. He added that that work ethic can see be seen in the Tiger facility, as both Jamal Roberts and Tavorus Jones soaked up every bit of guidance Schrader could give them over the years.
Despite losing Schrader, Luper feels good with where his group is at. He mentioned that Noel and Carroll both pick things up very quickly. He also said made a comparison that Mizzou fans might like to hear.
"[They] remind me of Tyler Badie and Larry Rountree, 2020," Luper said. "Larry was 218 pounds and Tyler was 195ish and, you know, they were a good compliment. Physically, they would remind you of those two."
There aren't too many question marks for the rest of the offenses heading into 2024.
The Mizzou wide receivers have gotten a lot of praise in the offseason, so far, as five key contributors will return for another season. Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr. and Mookie Cooper are all expected to have big 2024 campaigns, but position coach Jacob Peeler said this group is still hungry. Complacency isn't something that exists in their room.
"You've seen it through the years as a coach, some guys just aren't open to criticism, aren't open to hearing the things they don't do well. This group, they welcome it. They want to know what they can get better at, Peeler said.
You can watch the full press conference with Peeler in the video player below.
Through spring ball, MU wide receivers have said they want to be the best receiver room in the nation. According to cornerbacks coach Al Pogue, that's already a reality.
"Man, I tell our guys that, you know, right now, I mean, we probably are going against the best receiver group in the nation. We got to take full advantage of it," he said.
You can watch the full press conference with Pogue, as well as linebackers coach DJ Smith in the video players below.
The Tiger defense will have a few more opportunities to go up against that group, as spring camp winds down. Mizzou's spring game will kick off at 1 p.m. on March 16 at Faurot Field. The event is open to fans.
