Mizzou showing ‘progression, growth’ in week two of fall camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Football's second week of fall camp is beginning to wrap up. For the second time this week, the team held a closed scrimmage, concluding practice No. 11 of this year's fall camp on Saturday afternoon.

Eli Drinkwitz provided some observations from Saturday's scrimmage, saying there was "some good, some bad" on both sides of the football. Drinkwitz said the defense got off to a fast start, but the momentum shifted in the offense's favor later in the scrimmage. The offense did not turn the ball over, and in turn, the defense did not force any turnovers. He also highlighted wide receiver Joshua Manning as one standout performer from the scrimmage and mentioned the team has moved freshman Austyn Dendy to the running back position. Overall, Drinkwitz is seeing some positive progression throughout the team midway through fall camp.

"It's about eliminating bad football. It's about cleaning up penalties. It's about getting alignments right. It's about being fundamentally sound. It's about executing the calls, and you've seen progression and growth," Drinkwitz said. "I think the one's are progressing about where you want them to be, and there's guys that are really catching our eyes at the two's and the three's. I think there's some freshmen. Trajen Greco is a guy that's really stood out. Jeremiah Beasley has really stood out as guys who can find a role whether that's on special teams, so it's been good."

You can watch the full press conference with head coach Eli Drinkwitz in the video player below.

At the same time, some players are starting to emerge as frontrunners in competitions taking place at a few key positions. Drinkwitz is excited about the skill sets both Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll bring to the running back room, and Marcus Bryant is starting to create some separation in his competition with Jayven Richardson for the starting spot at left tackle.

"I think we are pretty close," Drinkwitz said about evaluating the running back competition. "[Noel] has had plenty of carries in his career so didn't need to see him live. I think we're very confident in what he can do and very excited about how he fits into this offense. I think we ended up giving [Carroll] five carries today. His best asset is to be a physical, downhill runner and to make sure he's comfortable with that and protection, so he was really good."

"I think Marcus [Bryant] has taken a step. I would say last week he took a step and that's kind of the way the line has been trending," Drinkwitz said about the competition at left tackle. "I think Marcus has taken all the reps with the one's at the left tackle position, and that position is really starting to gel. That doesn't mean the competition is over by any means. We'd like to see some game reps with different guys, but that five right now is building some continuity and some chemistry."

Drinkwitz also provided some brief injury updates on three players. He said tight ends Brett Norfleet and Jordon Harris are nursing injuries but expects them to both be back in action by the end of next week. Drinkwitz also said freshman running back Kewan Lacy is recovering from a soft tissue injury but did not mention a timeline for his return.

The Tigers will get a day off from practice on Sunday before returning to fall camp action on Monday, Aug. 12.