Mizzou’s younger players have chance to prove skills at Gasparilla Bowl

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou has had nine players enter transfer portal and three declare for the NFL Draft meaning that the younger players will be playing some bigger roles in the upcoming Gasparilla Bowl.

Some of the Tigers biggest losses for the bowl will be on the defensive side. With defensive linemen Isaiah McGuire and DJ Coleman taking their talents to the next level, redshirt freshman Arden Walker will be seeing more action.

"I think I'm just looking at it as an opportunity to really step up, it's basically my time," Walker said. "I feel like I'm moving into that position where I have to lead from my position. We still have to make sure we mesh together as a team and as a defense."

That isn't the only loss Mizzou's defense is facing. Safety Martez Manuel also declared for the NFL Draft that means that another young player, Daylan Carnell, will be starting in his spot.

Carnell says he had conversations with Manuel at the end of the season to prepare him for this moment. "I really don't think it will be that much of a difference just more snaps, more plays so I just have to be more mentally locked in and have my endurance ready."

On the offensive side, the Tigers lost the team's leading receiver Dominic Lovett in the portal. With Lovett out of the rotation, that's going to mean more reps for freshman wide receiver Mekhi Miller.

"I take bits and pieces from Domo (Dominic Lovett), Barrett, Tauskie, Luther and the rest of the guys. I just try to pick apart their game and see how I can implement it in myself," Miller said.

Not only did the Tigers lose Lovett, but they'll also be without quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan as he was named the offensive coordinator at Boise State.

"Going to miss Coach Hamdan a lot," Cook said. "He was great for the program, great for the quarterbacks and really just one of the most genuine people I've been around."

Mizzou will face Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl Friday, Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m.