Confidence continues to build as Mizzou approaches end of fall camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three practices remain in Mizzou football's fall camp, as the Tigers work towards Sept. 3's season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Of course, among other things, 'confidence' is one of the key ingredients to head coach Eli Drinkwitz and company finding success on the field, this season. And as fall camp rages on, it's clear that assurance is growing in each position group.

Right guard Curtis Peagler is a player who knows just how important that confidence is. In fact, he cited it as the key ingredient to him breaking through as a starter in 2025, after playing just three games over the course of the three seasons prior.

"I would say confidence," Peagler said, when asked about what changed for him, last year. "You know, preparation and confidence, having the ability to go out and play the next play and understand that, you know, the work that you put in it pays off."

You can watch the full press conference with Peagler in the video player below.

In a day and age where lots of other players would have hopped into the transfer portal to find a place where they could start immediately, Peagler shouldered the motto that has fueled Tiger football for years.

"I just felt like I had something to prove to everyone I know. With the portal and a lot of guys leaving, I had a lot of support here, and I was just like, why would I leave that? You know, I really love it here, so just being able to come back and finish my last year, it's a great decision for me," he said.

Peagler plays a crucial leadership role on an offensive line that's been re-tooled a bit for the 2026 season, featuring a new center and new right tackle.

Right tackle is a big job for the Tigers this season, as first-year starting quarterback Austin Simmons is left-handed, so the right side will be his blind side. Originally, Arizona State transfer Josh Atkins was expected to fill that role, but he suffered an injury in the offseason that may keep him out most of the year. However, on Saturday, Drinkwitz said he feels comfortable with Mississippi State transfer Luke Work sliding into that role in 2026.

"His ability just to adapt and just play the next play. He's done a wonderful job coming in and just chilling with the guys of gelling with the guys, so very excited to have him," Peagler said.

As Mizzou's new-look offense is still building its chemistry for the upcoming season, returning safety Trajen Greco said they've been fun to go up against during fall camp.

"They have a lot of playmakers, they run the ball well and the quarterback, he can sling it," Greco said.

You can watch the full press conference with Greco in the video player below.

The Mizzou offense is getting some vital experience right now, going up against a Tiger defense that has some high expectations for the 2026 season. This group is confident that it can continue to raise the standard this season, especially where the secondary is concerned.

In the offseason, Coach Drinkwitz went out and got some exciting new transfers to compliment the slew of returners he has for the season ahead. Guys like cornerbacks Chris Graves Jr. and Jahlil Florence, as well as safety Kensley Louidor-Faustin and Elijah Dotson headline that list of new talent.

Greco said the biggest thing about this new-look secondary is there are a lot of guys who can play at multiple spots, which may make things difficult for opposing offenses.

"It brings a lot of versatility," he said. "You know, some teams are not going to know where we're lined up and what we're in just because of how we're rotating and stuff like that. But, with all of us knowing each position, it makes it better, so if someone needs a break or someone's tired, just go in and rotate for them real quick and we'll all be on the same page with that."

Greco, a native of Buford, Georgia, has steadily seen his production in a Tiger uniform go up over the years. Starting as a mainstay on special teams as a freshman and then taking a lot more defensive snaps in 2025. Now, in 2026, he's hoping to have a breakout year for 'Death Row Defense.'

"Being able to play my freshman year on special teams was a blessing. Then, going into my sophomore year, I got to play a little bit, which again, I'm still playing in the SEC, still playing ball, so it's just getting me ready and whatever this year comes, I'm ready to go," he said.

On special teams, kicker and punter Brunno Reus is in the midst of his first fall camp in Columbia, after transferring from Florida State in the offseason. He can gather some confidence in the fact that his old special teams coordinator, John Papuchis, is also here at Mizzou with him.

Papuchis has brought a different life to the special teams unit during fall camp, which is no surprise to Reus.

"Florida State had some learning curves [for me], but he just he just kept me calm and kept me confident. I mean, I literally trust them with anything, with everything I have," Reus said. "[His energy] is awesome. Sometimes we're doing like a new step on punting and he's, like, right next to me, he's like a father figure, almost. It's awesome."

You can watch the full press conference with Reus in the video player below.

Reus came to Columbia with the knowledge that kicker Blake Craig had cemented his starting role a while ago, as Craig had a record-setting 2024 season. That trajectory was broken up by an ACL tear in 2025, but now the Tiger returner is back and primed for another season.

Originally, Reus didn't know how his relationship would be with Craig, as there's natural competition, with both of them being kickers, but he said that they've bonded big time this summer.

"Blake is one of the easiest person I've ever worked with. I mean, we're best friends, like, we eat at each other's house, we play poker together, we play pool at the fourth floor together. I mean, this is the tightest group I've ever been in my life," Reus said. "Him telling me the things he's been through [last year],it's actually scary. Like, he's been through a lot, but he's fought every single day. He was telling me all the rehab and stuff and how like, yeah, it was depressing a little bit. But once he came back, like, better than he was ever."

Reus' abilities as a punter will be heavily relied upon to flip to the field for MU, this season, as he graduated high school as a five-star prospect. In fact, Kohl's Kicking Camps regarded him as the best combo kicker and punter of his class.

Up next - Mizzou will look to continue to build up its confidence at each position before the 2026 season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.