Missouri’s receivers have big shoes to fill. Here’s how the transition is going

Over the past two seasons, few position groups have left as large a footprint in Columbia as Missouri’s wide receivers.

Whether it was the dynamic explosiveness of Luther Burden III or the steady, veteran presence of Theo Wease Jr., the Tigers’ aerial attack found its rhythm through two playmakers who are now looking to make their mark in the NFL.

Burden’s 2023 campaign etched his name into school history, completing a second-team All-America season featuring 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, often while facing double coverage.

Wease, a transfer from Oklahoma, was the perfect complement, relying on his crisp routes and experience to haul in 109 receptions for 1,566 yards over two seasons at MU.

That production was assisted by the consistency of quarterback Brady Cook, who started 25 games over the past two seasons and threw for more than 5,800 yards and 32 touchdowns during that stretch.

Now, all three are gone, and the Tigers are tasked with replacing 61% of their receiving yards from last year, factoring in the aforementioned duo plus Mookie Cooper.

What remains is an intriguing blend of promise, speed and uncertainty — a receiver room loaded with talent but lacking a proven No. 1 option. The group is young, but Mizzou coaches are confident the next wave of playmakers is ready to emerge.

Among them is Kevin Coleman Jr., a St. Louis native returning to his home state after a standout junior season at Mississippi State. Coleman hauled in 74 receptions for 932 yards and six touchdowns last fall, primarily working out of the slot. Known for his short-area quickness and ability to make defenders miss in space, Coleman brings experience and polish to the unit.

“Kevin Coleman’s everything you want him to be as a slot,” MU coach Eli Drinkwitz said this spring. “Dynamic player, really tough cover in man-to-man. Really felt like he had a good spring getting to know those quarterbacks.”

Coleman has made stops at Jackson State and Louisville prior to arriving in Columbia, and he’s made clear that this one feels different.

“It’s a great place to be,” Coleman said. “I remember when Coach Drink first came here, and just to see where he’s taken this place, I had to come be a part of it.”

Alongside him is rising junior Marquis Johnson, a breakout candidate whose stock rose rapidly late last season. Used sparingly for much of the year — whether as a gunner on special teams or deep threat in four-wide sets — Johnson made the most of every snap. He capped the year with a team-high 122 receiving yards and a touchdown in MU’s 27-24 Music City Bowl victory over Iowa.

“I feel like I’m more mature than what I was for my first spring ball to where I am now,” Johnson said. “I was a little scared my first time here, but after making a couple of plays, after being around, around my people, after having my team back me up, I feel like I’m very confident.”

With Burden and Wease no longer in the picture, Johnson is expected to take on more volume. He’s one of the fastest players on the roster and has consistently shown an ability to stretch defenses vertically.

Then, there’s Joshua Manning, a steady presence with good hands and high football IQ. While not as flashy as Johnson, Manning also boasts some potential. He recorded a 63-yard touchdown against UMass last fall, displaying his speed that can make defenders look foolish. His size and route-running make him a strong candidate to contribute in the slot and on key downs.

Manning’s development is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the fall. After learning behind Burden the past two years, he appears poised to carve out a significant role.

“Marquis, Josh, Kevin — they all bring something different,” offensive coordinator Kirby Moore said. “We want to mix and match skill sets and make it hard for defenses to key in.”

While Johnson, Manning and Coleman are expected to headline the rotation, MU’s depth at the position extends beyond them. Freshman Donovan Olugbode impressed throughout spring practices with his body control and ability to make acrobatic grabs.

“Donovan really stood out in a positive way. Big-time catch radius. I know y’all saw the one-hand catch on Twitter, but that wasn’t new to anybody,” Drinkwitz said. “That was pretty much every practice — he was making wild plays.”

Young receivers James Madison II and Shaun Terry II also earned reps, particularly on special teams. Their presence has added energy to an already spirited room.

Who will be throwing to them remains a question.

With Cook’s departure, the Tigers’ quarterback battle remains unsettled heading into fall camp. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula and rising redshirt junior Sam Horn are competing for the starting job. Pribula offers mobility and command from his Big Ten experience, while Horn offers a big arm and familiarity with the program.

Moore has been clear: He’ll tailor the offense to whichever quarterback wins the job. That flexibility, paired with a receiver room that’s diverse in skill set and personality, could help ease the transition.

The Tigers may not have a Burden-like headliner this year. But if spring was any indication, they’ve got a handful of receivers ready to write the next chapter in 2025.

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