Mizzou embracing competition at fall camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Football has completed its first four practices of fall camp.

On Friday, the Tigers soaked in some sunshine on the fourth day of practice at the Mizzou Athletics Training Complex, continuing to bring energy and welcome the competition that fall camp presents.

With position battles brewing on both sides of the football, players are capitalizing on every opportunity to help maximize their role on the team this season.

"It's the first couple days, so everybody's excited to get out there. It's hot, we're out there, we get into it with each other, but it's all good. Iron sharpens iron, so it's good to go out there every day and have that competition," Mizzou defensive tackle Chris McClellan said. "We got guys out there competing, so it's always good to have that high level of urgency and competition those first days, and hopefully, we can continue it throughout camp."

You can watch extended highlights from MU's fourth practice of fall camp and full post-practice interviews with players in the slideshow above.

Outside of the ongoing quarterback competition, the battle to become the team's starting left tackle is also catching plenty of attention. Jayven Richardson has been receiving most of the first-team reps at that position, but Johnny Williams IV is also putting a strong showing on display at fall camp.

"He's night-and-day better," Mizzou offensive lineman Cayden Green said about Richardson. "I think his pass protection has really improved. He's always been a good run blocker, but he's really improved his pass protection. He put an emphasis on that in the offseason."

"Johnny looks great," Green said about Williams IV. He's really good in pass protection. He's starting to understand this scheme a lot more than he was in the spring."

Defensively, the Tigers have depth at several positions. MU's defensive ends and tackles own a combined 38 career sacks and 55.5 career tackles for loss across both rooms. Mizzou's linebacker room also features plenty of proven production. With the return of Khalil Jacobs from injury, that unit has registered a combined 478 total tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and five interceptions in their collegiate careers.

MU will have the luxury of being able to consistently rotate players into the game at the linebacker position, which has created a healthy competition for snaps at fall camp and generated a confidence that has spread throughout the room.

"I feel like, every day, each one of us get each other better," Mizzou linebacker Triston Newson said. "We want to go out there and give everything we got each rep. If I do that, I know somebody's going to come in behind me, that's just as good as me."

Mizzou returns to practice on Saturday, Aug. 2 for its fifth practice of fall camp at 11 a.m.