Missouri’s football program is pinning its hopes for a turnaround in 2026 on a revamped special‑teams unit, a group that finished the previous season at the bottom of the SEC and ranked 116th nationally in ESPN’s SP+ metric.
A Proven Playbook from Tallahassee
John Papuchis, who spent the last year as the special‑teams coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles, arrives in Columbia with a résumé that includes a No. 6 national ranking in the same metric for the 2024 season. His appointment signals the Tigers’ intent to leverage a proven system that helped the Seminoles excel in punt coverage and kickoff efficiency.
The position will be manned by a pair of promising legs. Blake Craig, the Tigers’ starting placekicker, is currently recuperating from an ACL tear suffered in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign, but his career includes seven successful attempts from 50 yards or more. Taking over the kicking duties will be Brunno Reus, a transfer from Florida State who will handle both kickoffs and punting, bringing a fresh arm to the special‑teams roster.
Coaches are also excited about the potential impact of return specialists DaMarion Fowlkes and Shaun Terry II, both of whom are entering their second seasons and could provide the spark the unit sorely needs.
Looking Ahead
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed confidence that the new scheme will give the team a competitive edge. With the new coordinator in place and a blend of experienced veterans and fresh talent, the Tigers hope to climb out of the lower tier of SEC special‑teams rankings and contend for better field position in every game. The staff believes that the combination of Papuchis’ strategic vision and the players’ growing confidence could translate into tangible improvements on the field.