Mizzou football buzz: Trash-talking the Tigers’ defense, opt-outs, SEC schedule + more
When Eliah Drinkwitz became a head coach for the first time at Appalachian State, he admitted there was a learning curve that came with the gig.
All Drinkwitz needed to care about throughout most of his coaching career was the offensive side of the ball (with some special teams mixed in). Then he became CEO of an entire program, and the responsibilities started to flood in: defense, special teams, recruiting and anything else imaginable while juggling a roster of 18- to 22-year-olds.
As Drinkwitz enters his first preseason camp as Mizzou’s coach, he’s made his life easier when it comes to the defense. He retained three assistants from former MU coach Barry Odom’s staff — defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, defensive line coach Brick Haley and secondary coach David Gibbs — engendering some much-needed continuity.
Drinkwitz has been mostly hands-off with the defense, allowing Walters to take the reins. Of course, as head coach, Drinkwitz keeps tabs on the entire team cia diligent updates from Walters and the rest of his coaching staff.
That line of communication also manifests itself on the practice field … just in different ways.
“During practice,” Drinkwitz said with a grin, “usually the only communication I have with the defense is when I’m trash-talking.”
Mizzou’s defense is coming off a stellar 2019 season, one in which it was one of the best passing defenses in the country. Walters, a former Colorado safety, transformed the unit after switching schemes to a 4-2-5 formation that features more defensive backs.
Familiarity with both scheme and coaching is appreciated by the players, MU safety Joshuah Bledsoe said. Bledsoe and safety Tyree Gillespie are projected to be one of the SEC’s best safety tandems. Other notable defensive returnees include All-American linebacker Nick Bolton and defensive tackle Kobie Whiteside, who led the Tigers with 6.5 sacks last season.
“Our biggest thing to get better is just the little things,” Bledsoe said. “Angles and stuff. Just communicating more. We pretty much just need to communicate more, that’s all.”
While Drinkwitz said there’s a definite bonus to the defense boasting a base layer of comfort, he still cautions that everyone on the team is going through a similar process during training camp. Few around the program have been through a Drinkwitz preseason.
The three retained assistants were joined by secondary coach Charlie Harbison and linebackers coach DJ Smith, both of whom followed Drinkwitz from App State. Both of the new assistant coaches’ energy has been infectious, defensive end Chris Turner said.
“I’m completely in-tune with exactly what the defense is doing,” Drinkwitz said. “Exactly what special teams is doing. Exactly what recruiting is doing. I have communication with those guys on a daily basis. I know what each person is talking about in each position meeting.”
SEC schedule
Mizzou found out Monday when and where it’s playing for its adjusted 10-game, SEC-only schedule. The Tigers face a loaded first three games, opening against Alabama then traveling to Tennessee and LSU.
But Drinkwitz isn’t focused too much on any one opponent just yet, saying “Mizzou is worried about Mizzou right now.” He said the Tigers will spend about 18-19 of their 25 practices solely on self-improvement, working through different scenarios and figuring out their quarterback situation.
“Mizzou’s got plenty of issues to fix that we’ve gotta work on,” Drinkwitz said. “If we start focusing on out week one opponent right now, we’re going to miss laying the foundation and improving. That’s what we’re focused on.”
Whiteside said he was “psyched” to be playing such a tough schedule. It gives him a chance to prove himself against the best of the best.
“Knowing I’m about to play some future stars and future NFL guys and I can play against them and try to prove myself with these guys,” Whiteside said. “I’m happy about the competition that’s about to come to us.”
Opt-outs?
Mizzou hasn’t had any public opt-outs due to the pandemic as of yet, though Drinkwitz has warned that could change at any point.
Mizzou running back Rountree, for one, said the idea of sitting out this season has never entered his mind.
Rountree, a senior this fall and captain last season, said he knows he’s unlikely to be a first-round NFL Draft pick. But his friend from Virginia Tech, Caleb Farley, has opted out of the 2020 season and declared for the draft. Rountree said he understands the scenario where a surefire first-round pro doesn’t want to risk injury and uncertainty, but that scenario doesn’t apply to him.
“I owe it to my teammates, my class to play and leave on a good note,” Rountree said. “I’m not trying to opt out. My mom says regardless of whatever the circumstances is, once you start something, you gotta finish it. I’m a true senior.”
Captaincy
Once there’s more clarity with the roster and starting jobs, Drinkwitz said he plans to allow the team to pick captains for the 2020 season. Mizzou elected five captains last season: Rountree, quarterback Kelly Bryant, linebacker Cale Garrett, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and cornerback DeMarkus Acy. Only Rountree is still with the team, and he is regarded as one of the leaders of the squad.
“It’s a team deal,” Drinkwitz said. “Captains are based on the representation of the team and who they believe the leaders are.”