Position battles heat up in Mizzou’s fall camp
The second week of Missouri’s fall camp brought a visual cue that excited both coaches and fans: senior defensive end Malik Bryant finally shed the no‑contact green jersey and returned to his familiar No. 12, indicating a full‑speed participation in drills.
Bryant’s workload has been split with sophomore Daeden Hopkins at the boundary edge, and the staff has been testing his alignment in practice. Notably, he was seen working alongside linebackers during warm‑ups, a move that hints at a potential transition to outside linebacker (OLB) this season.
The secondary continues to rotate, with Oregon transfers Sione Laulea and Jahlil Florence seeing extensive time at cornerback. Nicholas DeLoach Jr. and Cam Keys have also been active on special teams, handling return duties, while Chris Graves Jr. observed the drills without participating.
Depth at safety is taking shape as Elijah Dotson and Kensley Louidor‑Faustin work at the STAR position, with Dotson slotted in the first unit and Louidor‑Faustin in the second. Santana Banner and Trajen Greco anchor the back end of the first‑team defense, providing a blend of experience and youthful energy.
Among the newcomers, Notre Dame transfer JaDon Blair and sophomore CJ Bass III have joined the secondary rotation, adding further options as the Tigers prepare for their season‑opening showdown against Arkansas‑Pine Bluff on September 3.
Health updates and timeline
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed that Ahmad Hardy remains absent, ruled out for the first week of camp, but expects a status update in roughly two weeks, potentially around the upcoming weekend. This timeline will clarify whether Hardy can contribute to the early games.
With 15 scheduled practices before the opener, the team is using the camp to iron out position battles and build chemistry. Early experiments suggest a more fluid defensive line and a deeper, more adaptable secondary, both of which could prove decisive when the season begins.