‘You have to win it’: Mizzou’s defensive line hoping for more pressure, sacks this fall
The Missouri Tigers boast a wealth of seniority when it comes to their defensive line — eight senior defensive linemen, to be exact.
While that experience is a plus, there are still question marks for a position group that saw its share of struggles last season — especially when it came to the pass rush. And that was with Jordan Elliott, the defensive tackle who left Mizzou early and is now with the NFL’s Browns, in the mix.
There’s still plenty of talent here, though. The returning MU headliners include Kobie Whiteside, Chris Turner and Tre Williams. Others, such as Markell Utsey, Akiel Byers and junior-college transfer Ben Key, should also compete for playing time.
Together, they’re hoping to wreak some havoc on opposing offenses.
They’ve had a solid start to preseason camp, MU coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. The first-year coach said the defensive line racked up six sacks in Wednesday’s practice. He noted that MU defensive coordinator Ryan Walters’ scheme features a lot of movement, which results in more one-on-ones for pass-rushers.
“If you get a one-on-one, you have to win it,” Turner said. “But every day, if we come in ready for work, come focused on the little details of pass rush, just try to get better every day at practice, that’ll come with it.”
While losing an imposing talent like Elliott hurts, Whiteside is set to pick up the slack in the interior of the defensive line. The senior defensive tackle led the Tigers with 6.5 sacks last season and said he’s ready to make that next step.
Who lines up alongside Whiteside is unclear, with a mix of Byers, Utsey and potentially a dash of someone like Darius Robinson in the running. It will be interesting to see if Whiteside can build on his 2019 production, considering he won’t be lining up next to Elliott anymore
Last season, Elliott saw consistent double teams that took some of the attention off Whiteside.
“I’m trying to be more of a technician when it comes down to pass rush,” Whiteside said. “I found my best four moves. I’m trying to refine them every day during practice. Just keep trying and keep trying so I can become a better pass-rusher, better run-stopper.”
Then there’s defensive end, a position that’s been a source of frustration for the Tigers the past few seasons.
Turner enters the fall having started 25 consecutive games. He’s projected to be a starter again and hopes to generate more sacks. Williams is likely the other starter, especially with Jatorian Hansford missing camp because of shoulder surgery. Drinkwitz also singled out the early effort of senior Sci Martin.
“I feel like I have to do a better job of coaching other guys and getting younger guys ready to go,” Turner said. “When a guy goes down, we’ve got to get someone else to step up for them. It’s been a big point the whole offseason, just trying to get our pass rush way better.”
Upperclassmen aside, Whiteside noted that some of the younger Tigers have impressed so far in camp. He highlighted Isaiah McGuire and Robinson as guys with experience after playing as true freshmen in 2019.
Of the incoming freshmen, Turner pointed to Johnny Walker and Montra Edwards as two who stood out. The senior went so far as to say Walker “might be the fastest on the D-line” right now.
Drinkwitz, in his first season, has retained defensive line coach Brick Haley, a players’ favorite, from former MU coach Barry Odom’s staff. With Walters’ scheme in place and Haley bringing continuity, Turner said the Tigers’ D-line is focused on getting to the quarterback more often this season.
“We’re going to go out there, practice on our pass rush, doing one-on-ones during the time Coach Haley’s got us,” Whiteside said. “Hopefully, from that, you can see us improving and you can see us on the field for Saturday games.”