'No block, no rock': Mizzou's receivers excelling in blocking, not just catching
The “no block, no rock” mentality has been a part of the identity of Mizzou’s receiving group since Peeler took the job in 2022.
Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. were crucial in developing perimeter blocking as a focal point for the program, especially when it came to creating holes for running back Cody Schrader in 2023.
Burden, in fact, was lauded by the Chicago Bears in the preseason for his ability to block. Against the Buffalo Bills, Burden made a key block on both of the rushing touchdowns the Bears picked up in the first half. Even more than his strengths at receiving, that left a strong impression on the Chicago coaching staff.
“I feel like it describes me best. I feel like that’s fair,” Burden told Bears reporters in April when asked about the “no block, no rock” approach. “You want the ball, but, I mean, if you don’t block for your teammate, there should be a consequence. I love to block, so they have no problem with me.”
Burden’s aggressive blocking was just another motivating factor for the Missouri receivers to buy into. Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning were with Burden at Mizzou for multiple seasons, while transfer Kevin Coleman Jr. grew up in the same area of St. Louis.
“Honestly, I think when they saw Luther do it preseason ... it was something that they realized they could take pride in and be something that this group is known for,” Drinkwitz said.
Hard blocking was apparent in Missouri’s 42-31 win over rival Kansas in Week 2. The trio of Coleman, Manning and Johnson led the Tigers in run blocking grades, according to Pro Football Focus. The strong rushing attack of Mizzou goes beyond its running backs and offensive line. It doesn’t get the same results without the perimeter blocking by the wideouts.
On Jamal Roberts’ 63-yard touchdown run against the Jayhawks, for example, all three of those receivers needed to contribute to the wide-open rushing lane. Coleman went toe-to-toe with Jayhawks cornerback Syeed Gibbs and won the battle, while Manning put a strong block on safety Mason Ellis. Johnson, according to Drinkwitz, did “just enough” to distract cornerback DJ Graham II from making the play.
While the MU coach said he was “really nervous” about Coleman making his block, the senior rose to the occasion. When Roberts spoke about the play the next Tuesday, he made sure to thank his blocking receivers.
“First thing I want to do is congratulate my line and the perimeter blocking from the receivers,” he said. “It wouldn’t have happened without them.”
When it comes to these weapons for Mizzou, they seemingly can do it all.
Buying into blocking
At Lee’s Summit High School, Manning always got three reminders from receivers coach Chris Stehle: “Be fast, be physical and be relentless.” Every Saturday before he takes the field, Manning receives a text reminding him of that very mantra.
As the star of the Lee’s Summit offense, his primary role was to serve as an offensive threat. The game plan featured lots of choice routes and run-pass-option plays, which helped him become one of the most highly sought players from the Class of 2023 in Missouri.
But when his team asked, Manning wasn’t afraid to get his pads involved.
“Our scheme didn’t require him to block a lot, but when we needed him to, he would do it,” said Stehle, now the Rock Bridge receivers coach. “He knows how to use his body, and he’s doing a really good job at it.”
Since coming to Mizzou, Manning has grown into a trusted run blocker. Through three games, his blocking grades out at 73.6 — a higher average than that of offensive linemen Keagen Trost, Connor Tollison and Curtis Peagler. His 6-foot-2, 213-pound frame lends itself to overpowering opposing cornerbacks and opening up gaps for the Missouri running backs.
Right in line with Wease and Burden, Manning is continuing the trend of being a willing blocker under Peeler. The results on the field show that.
“I think they just do a great job of slow-playing the block but being fast and physical when they get to the point of attack,” Stehle said. “The biggest thing is not overrunning the block but also not being too slow to where you’re getting ran over.”
Manning’s role as a pass-catcher is expected to grow this season with the losses in the receiving room. He has accumulated 81 yards on eight receptions thus far, a trajectory that would easily surpass his 192 receiving yards last year.
Sticking with the Tigers and learning under teammates of the past could finally start to pay off for Manning in 2025. Stehle has tracked that journey longer than most.
“I’m proud of the growth (Manning) has made mentally,” Stehle said. “He’s bigger, faster and stronger than he’s ever been. ... I want him to keep enjoying the ride and just keep being a good person and doing what you need to do for your teammates.”
Finding early chemistry
From the ages of 9 to 18, Coleman and Burden were budding rivals on the St. Louis sports scene. Once Coleman arrived to Missouri from Mississippi State, he picked up Burden’s old No. 3.
Despite the obvious parallels, Coleman is carving out his own journey with the Tigers. He didn’t pick No. 3 just because of Burden — he’s donned that number since he was a kid.
“I look at it as just my number,” Coleman said, “just the number I always wear. I ain’t trying to be (Burden); I’m just trying to be me.”
It hasn’t taken him long to be himself in offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s system.
Through three starts, Coleman has notched 258 receiving yards and a touchdown on 24 catches. It’s early, but he’s on pace to join the 1,000-yard club by the end of the season. The receiver’s speed and agility have already led to some explosive plays that leave opposing defenders stumbling.
The chemistry of quarterback Beau Pribula and Coleman has had to develop in a short period of time, but it has.
“Me and Beau, we’re two hardworking guys, two guys that just want to be perfect all the time,” Coleman said after the Kansas win. “Once we got here in January, me and Beau got together, knew what was attached. I knew we would be in these type of moments in close games and have to overcome when we’re down.”
Against the Jayhawks, Coleman was a force. He was Pribula’s favorite option of the day, finishing with a career-high 126 yards on 10 catches paired with a touchdown in the second quarter. The senior proceeded to lead the Tigers with eight receptions again the next week against Louisiana, along with 84 receiving yards.
All that production has only helped Missouri win games, and that’s his ultimate goal for his final year of eligibility.
“I wanted to improve from last year. Finished off the season with 900 yards, but we didn’t win a lot,” Coleman said. “I wanted to come here and just win and be the best person I can be for the team, especially in my position group being a leader.”
A multifaceted group
In each of Mizzou’s first two games, a total of nine receiving options caught a pass from Pribula. The number dropped to eight in Saturday’s 52-10 win over Louisiana, in part because Mizzou’s running game was so dynamic and the lead so large. The Tigers didn’t need to throw as much late.
Coleman, Johnson and Manning have become Pribula’s primary threats. Johnson in the season opener had 134 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. He picked up his second touchdown of the year against the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Further down the depth chart, Mizzou isn’t short of pass-catchers, either. Returner Daniel Blood knows the system well, while freshmen Donovan Olugbode and Shaun Terry II are exciting prospects. Tight end Brett Norfleet seems to be making a leap alongside solid backups Jordon Harris and Jude James. Even Hardy and Roberts can make an impact as receivers.
It didn’t take long for people to notice Olugbode, as the Chicago product made a clutch one-handed catch in the second quarter against Kansas to convert a fourth-and-10. While those hands (or hand) might be something his peers see every day in practice, it isn’t something a lot of players can do, particularly a lot of freshmen.
“I think Donovan works really hard in practice,” Drinkwitz said. “I think he’s been able to carry over practice execution with game-day reality.
“For Beau to have the confidence (in) throwing the ball in that spot when he’s double covered shows how the quarterbacks felt about his route-running and his ability to make tough catches.”
This receiving group might not have the star power of Burden and Wease yet, but they certainly have the depth. Each player brings a unique set of skills, and they all complement each other to bring out the best in the offense.
Peeler compared the way he built this receiving corps to that of a basketball team. He didn’t want all point guards or all centers. He wanted to diversify. Between the speed, versatility and strength he has mixed in, he has created a multifaceted machine.
“Nobody is a cookie-cutter copy of each other,” Peeler said. “I think as football seasons go along, that kind of defines itself a little bit.”
Approaching a Week 4 duel with South Carolina, that definition is already getting clearer.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM.