Mizzou’s new pieces refresh special teams unit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The third phase of the Tigers' game is getting an overhaul for the new year.

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz brought in some new help for his special teams unit, wearing both helmets and headsets.

New special teams leader John Papuchis is in his first season with Mizzou after joining the coaching staff from Florida State in the offseason. With him, he's brought energy, passion, and a sophomore from Sarasota looking to make a name for himself.

Brunno Reus followed his coach from Tallahassee to Columbia, hoping to bring his game to the next level in the SEC.

"Florida State had some learning curves, but he just kept me calm and kept me confident," Reus said. "I literally trust him with anything, with everything."

He now joins Blake Craig as the primary kickers for the team, and will serve largely as the team's punter for this new season. Despite Reus expecting some competition with the returner, Craig has been the easiest person to work with since joining the team.

"Coming in, I was a little scared because I was going to compete with him. I was scared about the relationship," Reus said. "But man, he's one of the easiest people I've ever worked with, we're like best friends. This is the tightest group I've ever been in in my life."

Papuchis' integration has been swift, and the team has quickly rallied behind his style of coaching. The intensity mixed with the passion has elevated this group, and should help bring big changes to this phase of the game when the team gets into action.

"I feel like it was just easy coming here. We just had to get the other guys acclimated in," Reus said. "Our guys are so easy to work with, with the brotherhood and everything. That flowed right in, and we fit right in."