Missouri Tigers linebackers Newson, Trotter looking to form dynamic one-two punch

The Missouri football team projects to field a strong defense this fall, even after the Tigers lost a big-time transfer from Nebraska.

Former Cornhuskers linebacker Mikai Gbayor transferred to Mizzou in December. The hard-hitting redshirt senior fit coach Eli Drinkwitz’s desire to obtain production in the portal: In two seasons in Lincoln, Gbayor tallied 73 total tackles (nine for loss).

But exactly four months after he committed to MU, Gbayor bolted for Chapel Hill, committing to North Carolina. Gbayor, who many expected to assume a prominent role in the Tigers’ defense when he arrived in Columbia, instead was at his third school in less than six months.

Still, Mizzou’s linebacking corps remains in good shape. After former position coach DJ Smith left to become the head coach at his alma mater, Appalachian State, the Tigers brought in Derek Nicholson, who’d been the linebackers coach at Miami the last two seasons.

Personnel-wise, a bulk of the promise lies in a pair of players who, like Gbayor, gave Mizzou early holiday gifts in December.

Triston Newson

Newson, who transferred in from Northeast Mississippi Community College in November 2022, was supposed to be out of eligibility after last season.

That was until Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia stepped in. Pavia — who started his career at New Mexico Military Academy — sued the NCAA in November, claiming that the NCAA counting an athlete’s years at junior college against their NCAA eligibility violated antitrust laws because it prohibited them from profiting off of their name, image and likeness.

Pavia won the case in December, thus granting an extra year of eligibility to junior-college transfers like Newson. The linebacker even thanked Pavia when talking to reporters about it this spring.

“I want to say thanks to Diego for going about that business and getting all the JUCO guys the opportunity to play football,” Newson said. “For me, I just wanted to take a chance and invest in myself. … I feel like I created a great bond with my coaches and teammates and also had another opportunity to further my education and just get better at my game and perfect my craft.”

Newson’s unexpected return gives the Tigers a proven veteran linebacker, which is especially helpful with the departures of Corey Flagg Jr. and Chuck Hicks, who combined for 12 years of college experience by the time they were done.

In 2024, Newson ranked second on the team in total tackles (71) and tackles for loss (seven). His most notable highlight came against Oklahoma, when he knocked the football out of quarterback Jackson Arnold’s hands as the Sooners were looking to win the game late in regulation.

The loose ball was picked up by defensive end Zion Young, who scored the eventual game-winning touchdown. The play, along with a stat line of three tackles for loss and 10 total tackles, earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

In what is likely to be his final college season, Newson should slot in at weakside linebacker once again in defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s 4-2-5 scheme.

Josiah Trotter

Drinkwitz values production over potential. Trotter offers both.

As a redshirt freshman at West Virginia, Trotter was one of the best linebackers in the Big 12 last season. His 92 total tackles were second on the team, and he earned a spot on the Freshman All-American teams from the Football Writers Association of America and The Athletic.

He also earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He was a rare bright spot on a Mountaineers defense that allowed 33.4 points per game to FBS opponents.

Trotter was a stout run defender, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.9 for run defense and a 84.1 tackling grade. Both of those numbers would’ve led all Mizzou defenders last season who took at least 100 snaps. He also tallied four tackles for loss, two pass breakups and an interception.

Trotter mostly played inside linebacker last season, and he did take some snaps at middle linebacker. Trotter, who transferred to Mizzou two days after Pavia won his case against the NCAA, will likely be the Tigers’ starting middle linebacker. He’ll replace Flagg, who led the team in tackles last season with 81.

Josiah’s father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., played 11 seasons in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl nods and helping the Philadelphia Eagles reach Super Bowl 39 in 2005. Josiah’s older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., was a two-time All-American linebacker at Clemson, and he just won a Super Bowl with the Eagles.

Khalil Jacobs

Jacobs, who transferred from South Alabama before last season, played just five full games before suffering a season-ending arm injury Oct. 12 against UMass.

Still, he made an immediate impact in his shortened first season with the Tigers. He recorded a sack against Murray State and Boston College, and he had five tackles against the Minutemen.

Whenever Mizzou substituted a defensive back to replace a linebacker on third down, Jacobs was usually the lone linebacker patrolling the middle of the field.

While the change of scenery may have been substantial on the surface, Jacobs had a bit of a head start. His first two seasons at South Alabama were under the guidance of Batoon, who went with Jacobs to Columbia after three seasons as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator.

Jacobs, who’s entering his senior year, will look to stay healthy and give Mizzou a full season of action.

Nicholas Rodriguez

At 6-foot and 211 pounds, Rodriguez may be undersized, but he’s already made a big-time impact in 2025.

According to Drinkwitz, the sophomore “probably had the best spring of anybody on the defensive side of the ball.”

Rodriguez didn’t play much last season, but he made the most of his opportunities. He led Mizzou with nine total tackles against UMass and finished the year with 17 tackles.

Elsewhere, Jeremiah Beasley enters his second season at Mizzou after transferring in from Michigan in May 2024. He recorded seven tackles last season. Brian Huff redshirted after seeing action in just two games.

The Tigers also have a pair of true freshmen in Dante McClellan and Jason King.

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