While Mizzou’s offense draws attention, Tigers relishing defensive continuity
With spring football underway, all eyes are on Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz and the Tigers’ offense. As the first-year coach installs new schemes and looks, there’s a learning curve as the offensive players work through the process.
But on the other side of the ball, the framework of the defense is nearly the same, linebacker Jamal Brooks said Monday as the Tigers wrapped up their second spring practice. Despite the coaching change, Mizzou’s defense relishes in continuity as key staff members returned after a successful 2019 season.
There are differences, but for the most part, the Tigers are working off the same foundation.
“With any change, everybody wants to find something that’s familiar,” Brooks said. “Defensive coordinator and the defense is the same. I feel like that’s been kind of a fallback, some sense of comfort for the group. We have the same energy. We’re still upbeat, up-tempo.”
Of Mizzou’s five defensive assistants, three were retained from former coach Barry Odom’s staff, including defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. Walters was joined by defensive line coach Brick Haley and defensive backs coach David Gibbs.
Walters led the 16th-ranked scoring defense in the country last year, allowing 19.4 points per game. There were flashes where the unit struggled, but as a whole, Mizzou’s defense held strong despite the team’s 6-6 record, which included a 1-5 finish.
In the early portions of spring ball, with Drinkwitz focusing on the offense, he’s left the defense mostly to his assistants.
“I stay in my lane,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m aware of what they’re doing, I know what they’re doing. But right now in spring, I have my hands full running the offense. We watch the film all together, so we point out effort and technique.”
While it’s still early, the players have been impressed with the two new defensive position coaches, linebackers coach D.J. Smith and defensive backs coach Charlie Harbison. Linebacker Nick Bolton, an all-SEC pick in 2019, said he’s tried to learn as much as possible from Smith, who played in the NFL for four years.
“He played in the league, was an All-American,” Bolton said of Smith. “He knows what he’s talking about. Very energetic guy. Like to have fun as well. … Everybody likes being around him. We just try to go out and learn from him every single day.”
While Mizzou defenders continue building off 2019, they’ll look to replace multiple key defenders from last year’s unit. Jordan Elliott is gone as he declared early for the NFL. So is DeMarkus Acy, Cale Garrett and Christian Holmes, who transferred to Oklahoma State.
But Bolton is back, along with Kobie Whiteside, Jarvis Ware, Joshuah Bledsoe and other starters. While Drinkwitz’s offense steals the headlines, the Tigers’ defenders are working off an already set foundation.
“We’re trying to improve every day,” defensive lineman Akial Byers said. “Just improve from last year. We’re not looking back, just keep taking steps up.”
Staying put
After MU running back Tyler Badie tweeted out a highlights video thanking Mizzou in the offseason, some speculated there was a chance he was going to transfer. But he ultimately decided to stay at Mizzou, which he posted on his Instagram.
He clarified on Monday, saying he wasn’t planning to transfer.
“No, not really. I wasn’t looking around,” Badie said. “Just trying to stay focused and get ready for next season.”
Battle Line Rivalry tickets
With the Tigers slated to take on Arkansas, fans have the chance to buy tickets for the annual rivalry game, set to be played at Arrowhead Stadium in 2020. The date, Nov. 27 or Nov. 28, will be set during the summer.
Ticket availability will be determined by donor level, with the first opportunity to buy them on Wednesday. With Odom on Arkansas’ staff as defensive coordinator, it brings a different element to the rivalry, which Drinkwitz has mentioned in the past.