A lot of change is coming to the Missouri football offense in the fall.
The Tigers are replacing a quarterback, running back, all three starting wide receivers and three players along the offensive line next season.
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Missouri football looks close to finished with its transfer portal haul, with room for one or two more potential additions. Barring any late surprises, no current Mizzou players are expected to leave the program.
So, now that the roster is more or less set, how’s it all going to shake out?
Here’s our post-portal, post-spring projection for how Mizzou’s offensive depth chart may look in the fall. Every scholarship player and notable walk-on is listed. All transfers have been marked with an asterisk (*):
Who will win Missouri football’s QB competition?
The starter: *Beau Pribula, r-jr.; or Sam Horn, r-jr.
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The reserves: Matt Zollers, fr.; Tommy Lock, gr.; Kameron Eleby, fr.
Missouri has not made a decision about its starting quarterback, with Horn and Pribula taking their competition into the fall.
But … if we have to make a prediction now, we’ll guess Pribula leads the offense onto the field on Day 1 against Central Arkansas.
Horn is currently pitching again for the Tigers’ baseball team after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024. He has a lot of upside as a potential starting quarterback, but Pribula’s mobility and an Eli Drinkwitz comment from spring camp — ”I think (Pribula) was a better passer than we had anticipated,” the MU coach said April 8 — giving the newcomer a slight edge.
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It will be an open battle in August between Pribula and Horn, so don’t expect official word on who QB1 is until then.
More: How will new quarterback Beau Pribula fit with Missouri football? Behind the QB’s track record
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Running back
The starter: *Ahmad Hardy, so.
Main rotation: Jamal Roberts, r-so.; Marquise Davis, fr.;
The reserves: Tavorus Jones, r-jr.; Brendon Haygood, fr.
Hardy was an extremely exciting prospect at running back for Missouri when he signed from ULM in the winter, and there hasn’t been anything in the spring to temper that. The freshman All-American looks likely to lead Mizzou’s run game, and if his Sun Belt production translates to the SEC, the Tigers could be in a good place.
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Roberts is expected to play as the primary downhill, change-of-pace back, and we currently expect Davis — a late flip in the Class of 2025 — to earn some playing time in his rookie year.
“Marquise Davis — excellent runner,” Drinkwitz said April 8. “Excellent runner. A guy who is going to have an impact as a true freshman.”
Wide receiver
The starters: *Kevin Coleman Jr., sr.; Marquis Johnson, jr.; Joshua Manning, jr.
Main rotation: Daniel Blood, jr.; James Madison II, r-fr.; Xavier Loyd, sr.; Donovan Olugbode, fr.
The reserves: Shaun Terry II, fr.; DaMarion Fowlkes, fr.
The starters here are, in all likelihood, going to be Mizzou’s leading three pass-catchers in 2025. Coleman will work out of the slot, while Manning and Johnson will take on bigger roles in their junior campaigns.
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We’ve bumped Olugbode, a true freshman, up in the pecking order since our last depth chart projection. The coaches seem to be high on his potential, and he is a candidate to burn a redshirt this season.
Loyd was a spring addition out of the portal from Illinois State, adding some depth and inexperience to a room that otherwise lacked it.
“We needed another veteran presence,” Drinkwitz said about Loyd on Tuesday. “A guy who had position flexibility — a guy who can play on the outside and be a guy who can consistently get open and make plays vertically down the field. You know, we really believe in Donovan (Olugbode) and what he’ll be able to do, and Josh and Marquis. But, you know, it’s a long season, (and) we plan on playing a long time, so we’ve got to have enough depth.”
More: The incredible stories of Mizzou freshman Marquis Johnson’s blistering speed: ‘Marquis is gone’
Dec 30, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Tight end
The starter: Brett Norfleet, jr.
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Main rotation: Jordon Harris, jr.; *Gavin Hoffman, r-fr.; *Vince Brown II, r-sr.
The reserves: Jude James, r-fr.; Dakotah Terrell, fr.
Norfleet and Harris should be the primary starter and backup, respectively. But, if Mizzou chooses to run some more 12-personnel, new transfers Hoffman and Brown could see some playing time.
“Brett and Jordon have established themselves as elite players at that position, very consistent, but you can never have enough 6-5, 240-pound guys who run and can catch the ball and add value on special teams,” Drinkwitz said about Hoffman, who was MU’s first spring transfer portal addition.
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More: Mizzou football TEs Brett Norfleet, Jordon Harris take differing paths to the SEC
Offensive line
The starters: LT: *Johnny Williams IV, r-so.; LG: Cayden Green, jr.; C: Connor Tollison, sr.; RG: *Dominick Giudice, gr.; RT: *Keagan Trost, gr.
Primary backups: Jayven Richardson, jr.; Tristan Wilson, r-jr.; Logan Reichert, r-so.; *Jaylen Early, r-jr.; Henry Fenuku, fr.
The reserves: Brandon Solis, r-fr.; Xavier Machado, sr.; Ryan Jostes, r-fr.; Caleb Pyfrom, r-fr.; Whit Hafer, r-fr.; Curtis Peagler, r-jr.; Jack Lange, fr.; Keiton Jones, fr.
Only three spots are locked up along the offensive line.
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Trost, a Wake Forest transfer, has secured the job as Armand Membou’s replacement at right tackle. Returning center Connor Tollison, provided he is healthy, and left guard Cayden Green will slot right back into the lineup.
The starting job at left tackle is between Williams and Richardson for now, but Mizzou may opt to add another left tackle to the competition out of the transfer portal, if the right option becomes available.
More: Post-portal Missouri football depth chart projection: Who will start on Tigers’ defense?
The right guard spot appears to be between Giudice, Reichert, Wilson and Early, who is a spring transfer from Florida State.
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Reichert spent the spring injured but Drinkwitz was keen to let him compete for a starting position. Giudice, a Michigan transfer, filled in at center while Tollison was out and seemed to impress the coaching staff.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football depth chart projection: Who will start on MU’s offense?
