New leader anchors Mizzou’s offensive line
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Just as there's a new quarterback leading the Mizzou offense in 2026...there's also a new shot-caller on the offensive line.
Following the graduation of veteran center Connor Tollison, after the 2025 campaign, returner Dominick Giudice is sliding over to center for the Tigers. Although it's a new role for him in Columbia, he's not completely new to being in charge of the front five.
"I played center before I came here for about five games at Michigan, so I think, overall, I still had kind of had the main tools that were built in me from then," he said. "But, just being able to get developed from Coach [Brandon] Jones, see more things from the defensive perspective and just being able to put technique together more, because obviously there's some techniques that are a little bit different at center. Putting that together, just harping it in the offseason with Coach Jones, Coach Evans, Coach Meadows, the time that they put into us in the offseason has really helped."
"Being at that center job, I mean, it calls on you to be vocal, you know what I mean?" Giudice continued. "You have to set the point, you have to make sure that everyone's on the same page and if they're not, ultimately it's on you. So, I think it's a big responsibility, but I'm excited to take it on."
Although there will be some technical changes for Giudice to make, sliding into that new role, he's definitely not new to the leadership aspect. After transferring in from Michigan ahead of the 2025 season, the New Jersey native quickly made an impact, as his teammates tabbed him as the 'glue guy' of the offensive line.
"I think the biggest thing is that I just want to be a team guy," Giudice said. "That's what we're all trying to do here is just be for the team, that's that's what matters the most. So, I mean, whatever we can do for the team to help is, obviously, going to help us at the end of the day as well. I just think that mentality of just something to prove, having something to always work for and having that chip on your shoulder is something that I brought in, and I think that's something that I carry with me every single day, is that, you know, no one's going to outwork me. I take that very personal."
"[He brings] leadership and just being a captain for our team," wide receiver Donovan Olugbode said. "We're behind him and his vision."
Olugbode added that this year's Mizzou offensive line is the 'closest group' he's ever seen, adding that they're always together.
The connection that the front five has built will prove critical in a preseason that's already shown them some adversity. Offensive tackle Josh Atkins, who was presumed to be the starter at right tackle, sustained an injury in the offseason, which was supposed to keep him out until about mid-season. Recently, at SEC Media Days, head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced that Atkins suffered another setback in his injury, as its still not clear when and if he'll be able to return in 2026.
That position is made even more important when you consider the fact that Simmons is a left-handed quarterback, meaning the right side of the line is his blind side.
"I think the biggest thing is that we've all been working, so I don't think it's anything outside of what the guys have been working for," Giudice said. "For the guys that are competing right now, I mean, everyone could do it. They're all playing at high levels just because of the amount of work that we put in and with that comes to trust. I think we trust anyone to whoever steps into that role, we know that they're going to put the best product out there, and all the work that they put in will show in."
