A Strong Defensive Outlook
Missouri’s defense enters the 2026 campaign with a linebacker group that blends proven production and fresh talent. Returning standout Nicholas Rodriguez, who finished second on the team in tackles last season despite starting only part‑time, anchors the unit alongside Auburn transfer Robert Woodyard Jr., a 2025 PFF first‑team All‑SEC selection known for his relentless run‑stopping.
Coach Derek Nicholson, who helped elevate Josiah Trotter’s pass‑rush productivity before the NFL draft pick moved on, now oversees a room that must fill the void left by Trotter’s departure. Nicholson’s track record includes turning Yasir Abdullah into a 22.5‑sack performer, a transformation that bodes well for the new leaders emerging in Columbia.
Rodriguez’s sophomore campaign yielded a team‑high seven pass breakups and a run‑defense grade of 86.4, while Woodyard posted a career‑high 67 tackles and seven tackles for loss, complemented by a coverage grade of 61.6. Both players earned top‑20 rankings among linebackers from PFF, underscoring their impact on a unit that also features depth pieces such as Jeremiah Beasley, Dante McClellan, and Brian Huff.
The depth chart also includes promising freshmen Dante McClellan, who broke through with a pick‑six as a true freshman, and JJ Bush, the No. 21 linebacker recruit who was suspended indefinitely in May 2026. Additional depth comes from Bobby Washington, Jason King and Keenan Harris, each highly rated in their respective classes but yet to see extensive game action.
With a mix of experienced returnees, impact transfers, and highly touted newcomers, Missouri’s linebackers are positioned to keep the defense among the SEC’s elite. The coaching staff’s ability to develop talent, paired with the players’ demonstrated grades and statistics, suggests a strong chance of maintaining, if not improving, the team’s defensive standards in the upcoming season.