Mizzou returners setting example for newcomers at fall camp
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou football wrapped up the its fourth practice of fall camp on Friday, spending the entire afternoon's worth of action outdoors at the team's recently renovated practice fields.
Four members of this year's squad also met with media members for the first time since practices got underway at the beginning of the week. So far, players say these first four practices have been filled with great energy.
"It's energy every day. It's a lot of competition on the field. It's just iron sharpening iron," Mizzou running back Nate Noel said. "There's a lot of great work going on, on the field."
You can watch extended highlights from Friday's practice, focusing on the defensive line, linebacker and safety units, in the video player below.
You can also watch the full press conference with Noel in the video player below.
At this year's fall camp, the running back competition has captured a lot of attention to determine who will step up to help replace the leadership and production that consensus All-American Cody Schrader brought to the team last season. At the forefront of that competition is Noel and Marcus Carroll. The Appalachian State transfer says the entire running back room is competing for that No. 1 spot on the depth chart and are focused on making the most of their role on the team.
"I'm not necessarily looking to replace [Schrader] but just to fill my role, like my spot, whatever my role is, whatever the coaches feel like it is. Along with the other running backs, we're all just here to play our role," Noel said. "We're all working for the No. 1 spot. We all know that everybody can't be the No. 1, so we're all going to accept our roles."
"I think they've been running their tails off," Mizzou offensive lineman Armand Membou said about MU's running back unit. "As long as our five up front do our five jobs, then whoever's back there, they're going to make it happen."
You can watch the full press conference with Membou in the video player below.
In the midst of all the competition at each position, the Tigers have also welcomed some new faces to their first fall camp in Columbia. Florida transfer Chris McClellan is entering his junior season, and his first campaign with Mizzou. The Tiger newcomer mentioned he's working to adapt to the differences of Mizzou's style of defense compared to the scheme he was familiar with at Gainesville. To do that, McClellan is looking up to the veterans in his position group, like senior Kristian Williams, striving to keep improving the attributes that it takes to be successful in the SEC.
"My relationship with Kristian Williams is actually really good. That's somebody that I try to look up to because I feel like Kristian is one of the guys. He always does everything right," McClellan said. "I feel like we complement each other, just how we play. Our play styles mesh really well together."
"You got to be physical. That's what it all boils down to," McClellan said. "Physicality is definitely a big thing that we look for. Speed, strength, just things like that."
You can watch the full press conference with McClellan below.
Meanwhile, there are several returners on defense who've experienced the same transition. Linebacker Triston Newson is preparing for his second campaign with the Tigers after transferring from Northeast Mississippi Community College ahead of last season. At fall camp, Newson has focused on being a leader for the newcomers and emulating the leadership qualities he learned from former captains Ty'Ron Hopper and Chad Bailey, who were key to the success of last year's linebacker core.
"Just trying to be there for the younger guys that are coming in. Trying to set a good example for them and do the right things for them, lead them in the right direction," Newson said.
"I learned keep your pace. Just slow down, don't try to play too fast. Let it come to you," Newson said, referring to what he learned from Bailey and Hopper last season. "Ty'Ron, he's a guy that stayed on me. He told me there's going to be a time that you're going to have to be out there. He was one of the reasons why I started to watch more film, lock in on the playbook more. I learned a lot from both of those guys, just sitting there watching them play at practice."
You can watch the full press conference with Newson below.
As Mizzou Football begins to wrap up its first week back in action, the team now has 13 practices remaining at fall camp.
