Missouri dismisses DE Marcus Loud from football program

Missouri sophomore defensive end Marcus Loud has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team policies, a spokesman for the football program confirmed Wednesday.

Loud had 14 tackles, including one for a loss with a half-sack, last season as a redshirt freshman.

He and fellow sophomore Charles Harris were expected to get the first crack at replacing record-setting defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden as starters for the 2015 season.

Throughout the spring, the Tigers’ coaching staff raved about Loud’s improving maturity and the leadership role he was taking with the team.

Now, an already difficult circumstance — finding a way replace Ray and Golden — is even tougher.

During the spring, Loud and Harris were the only defensive ends on the field with any significant playing time.

That means Missouri will be counting on a trio of redshirt freshmen — Rocel McWilliams, Walter Brady and Spencer Williams — along with junior college transfer Marcell Frazier to step in for Loud.

Another option might be to bounce junior defensive tackle Harold Brantley outside more.

Junior Justin Grava and sophomores Jeffrey Cathey and Eddie Serrano also worked at defensive end during spring camp.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Missouri dismisses DE Marcus Loud from football program."