Three Tigers earn All-Conference honors from SEC coaches
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Three Mizzou football standouts made the Southeastern Conference's all-conference lists, which is selected by the league's 16 coaches, on Tuesday afternoon.
Wide receiver Luther Burden was picked for first-team honors for the second-straight season, while offensive lineman Armand Membou and defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. were both tapped for second-team honors.
Burden reeled in a team-high 61 catches in 2024, going for 676 yards and six touchdowns. The St. Louis native ranks third in the Southeastern Conference for receptions per game in the regular season and climbed to No. 4 on MU's all-time receptions lists with 192. Burden ranks sixth on Mizzou's career receiving yardage chart, as well.
The Tiger star has already announced declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and will not play in Mizzou's upcoming Music City Bowl matchup with Iowa.
Although he will forgo his final year of eligibility, teammates and coaches continually credit Burden with changing the trajectory of Mizzou football. As a five-star recruit out of high school, he chose to stay home when it wasn't the most popular option. After he came to Columbia, the Tigers had one .500 season and then went on to win the Cotton Bowl and post back-to-back nine-win seasons.
Membou also declared for the NFL Draft at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.
The preseason Outland Trophy candidate played a critical role in the success of an MU offensive that led the SEC and ranked seventh nationally in time of possession. He's been a three-year starter for head coach Eli Drinkwitz and company, making 26-straight starts.
Membou's work at right tackle was pivotal in MU's red zone success over the past couple of seasons. In 2024, the Tigers scored on 43-of-47 trips to the red zone. The offense also averaged about 170 rushing yards per game.
Walker Jr.'s final season in Columbia was, by far, his best one.
The defensive end led Mizzou in tackles for loss and sacks in 2024, starting in all 12 games during the regular season. He caught national attention for the sack streak that will not end. Walker Jr. has recorded at least one-half sack for six-straight games, which is the nation's longest active streak.
He also forced a team-high three fumbles and recovered another to help the Tigers to a 16th national ranking in fumble recoveries.
Walker Jr. made it known after Mizzou's final regular season win over Arkansas that he has intentions to play in MU's bowl game.
