Mizzou football looks to capitalize on defensive depth in 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Depth shouldn't be a problem for the Mizzou football team in 2025, as head coach Eli Drinkwitz managed to shore up just about every position in the offseason, especially on defense.
The depth and versatility of that defense has been on display through the first three days of fall camp. You can watch extended highlights of practice No. 3 in the video player below.
From linebacker to defensive end to cornerback and more, defensive coordinator Corey Batoon has plenty of options, as he enters year two in Columbia.
The Tigers will look to build on the success they found up front in 2024, returning some key starters at both defensive end and defensive tackle. The d-end room, specifically, is something that Coach Drinkwitz has been visibly excited about in the offseason. He returned starter Zion Young, as well as redshirt junior Darris Smith, who is coming off of a season-ending leg injury he sustained in last year's fall camp. Coach Eli also brought in some fresh talent in that room. Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II has been impressive early on, but MU also onboarded Northwest Missouri State transfer Langden Kitchen and Appalachian State transfer Nate Johnson.
At defensive tackle, the Tigers returned both Chris McClellan and Sterling Webb, however, they'll hope to see more from returners Marquis Gracial, Jalen Marshall and Bralen Henderson, as well.
The real area of concern, after the 2024 season, was the secondary and Coach Drinkwitz addressed that in the transfer portal. He added some more competition to the cornerback room with the addition of former Washington State star Stephen Hall. At safety, he locked down UNLV transfer Jalen Catalon and Virginia Tech transfer Mose Phillips II. The hope with the many new additions to that level of the defense is that competition will help them all take a step forward.
Catalon is doing more than adding competition, though, as he stepped forward as one of the leaders of Batoon's defense.
Before the 2025 edition of fall camp kicked off, Coach Eli did have high praise for the depth he's seeing at linebacker, as well. He brought West Virginia transfer Josiah Trotter, who is coming off an All-American season as a freshman for the Mountaineers. The Tigers also hope to have health on their side in that room, this season. Linebacker Khalil Jacobs is finally healthy again, after his season ended with an injury in 2024. Of course, the centerpiece of that room will be sixth-year player Triston Newson, who was able to return for one more year thanks to the NCAA's JUCO ruling.
Up next - Mizzou will continue fall camp practices on Friday morning.
