Chemistry continues to build into week two of Mizzou’s fall camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

In this new-age of college football, players have had to master the art of integration. As coaches around the nation utilize the transfer portal to bring in new talent year-in and year-out, a team's ability to take all of those new faces and become one before the season begins is critical.

Through six practices and one scrimmage, it's clear that the Mizzou football team is building the chemistry and bonded needed to tackle an entire season in the Southeastern Conference.

On Tuesday, a group players met with media members to discuss how things have been going, so far, this preseason. That group featured five players, all of which transferred to Mizzou later in their career. Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. and linebacker Khalil Jacobs each came to Columbia ahead of the 2024 season, while running back Ahmad Hardy, offensive lineman Dominick Giudice and linebacker Josiah Trotter transferred this offseason.

Despite the new-ness of playing in the SEC and joining a new program, with different standards, schemes and players, each player has felt a level of comfort and familiarity in their new home.

"As an offensive line, we spent a lot of time together, getting in extra work, throughout the summer and throughout the spring. Really kind of leaning on each other because as an offensive line, you need the five playing as one, everyone needs to be on the same page, so building that brotherhood and that trust for each other, knowing that we're going to be there for each other, I think it's just carried over into fall camp," Giudice said.

You can watch the full interview with Giudice in the video player below.

Giudice said that chemistry will be critical as the season begins on Aug. 28 against Central Arkansas. Even though he hasn't played a snap at Faurot Field quite yet, the Michigan transfer has already taken on a leadership role for the Tigers. He attributed his ability to have a voice so early on to the culture that head coach Eli Drinkwitz and company build in the weight room and practice.

The offensive line came into fall camp with quite a bit of competition, as veterans Armand Membou and Marcus Bryant were each taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a result, there's question marks on who will fill in at left tackle and right guard.

As of now, Giudice appears to be the front-runner to take over that right guard position, as he came to Columbia with quite a bit of versatility, having played nearly every position on the line.

"I think I'll do whatever is best for the team at the end of the day," he said. "I do like being able to have that versatility. I think that is just more valuable, being able to play all three positions, center and both guards, so at the end of the day I'll do what's best for the team."

No matter what role he fills into, Giudice will get to block for a running back that is getting quite a bit of national attention ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Sophomore Ahmad Hardy is preparing for his first season in Columbia and has already been named to a couple of preseason award watch lists: the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award. However, he said he doesn't pay attention to all those accolades.

"I'm really a team player," he said. "I like to win and whatever it takes the team to win. If the accolades come, they just come."

You can watch the full interview with Hardy in the video player below.

Hardy is a part of a room that is facing a lot of change in 2025, all of which is anchored by the presence of redshirt sophomore running back Jamal Roberts. Hardy said that Roberts has been a big help in telling him what to expect in Southeastern Conference Play. But, the running back room as a whole has a lot of depth.

Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. said that each and every running back is tough to tackle, but especially Hardy, adding that the Louisiana Monroe transfer is also the best trash-talker on the offense.

"People that are like his type of build, like as fast as he is, as swole and short...as stocky as he is, it's really hard," Pride Jr. said. "All of our running backs, honestly, all of them are hard to bring down, especially the freshman Marquise [Davis]. I've got to give him his props."

You can watch the full interview with Pride Jr. in the video player below.

Pride Jr. is entering his second season playing for Coach Drinkwitz, after transferring in from Clemson ahead of the 2024 season. He said his comfortability level is high now, as he is apart of a room that has a big challenge ahead.

Coach Eli has been clear all offseason that he wants to see a big step forward at the cornerback position, adding they need to get their confidence back in 2025. To help with that, he brought in former Washington State standout Stephen Hall. Overall, Pride Jr. said the battle for playing time in his room has been healthy.

"I love it. We all worked out in the summer together, we're all trying to get each other better," he said. "We pick each other's brains, so like whatever Stephen [Hall] knows, he'll tell me or whatever I know, I'll tell [Dreyden Norwood]. It's like a little triangle. We all help each other, even with the younger defensive backs."

There will be lots of competition at cornerback, but also at linebacker with the sheer amount of depth that Coach Drinkwitz has in that room for 2025.

Mizzou returned veterans Jacobs, who returned from a season-ending injury in 2024, and Triston Newson, as well as sophomore Nicholas Rodriguez, while adding former freshman All-American Josiah Trotter and true freshman Dante McClellan and others. Jacobs said that Trotter, specifically, is pretty hard to miss on the field.

"He's a dog man. He flashes everyday," Jacobs said. "It's kind of hard not to see him because he's always growling after he makes a play or whatever, so it's kind of weird, but you know, he's hungry and ready to compete for sure."

You can watch the full interview with Jacobs in the video player below.

Trotter jokingly clarified that it's more of a yell than a growl, as he gets excited to make a play for his team.

The former West Virginia star was one of the biggest additions that the Tigers made in the offseason. Even after gaining All-American honors, being named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman o the Year and Honorable Mention All-Big 12, Trotter said he has big goal for this season, as well.

"Really just add more stuff to my tape and my resume, just as a blitzer, as well. Then, also being able to improve and put on tape the consistency part of my zone coverage," Trotter said. "Also, just consistency overall in my game. I just feel like if I can add that to my tape and resume and continue to be consistent, I feel like that's something I can continue to add."

You can watch the full interview with Trotter in the video player below.

Mizzou will continue to build chemistry and prepare for the 2025 season in eighth practice of fall camp, on Wednesday, Aug. 6.