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Which Missouri football true freshman could have the biggest impact during rookie season?

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4 months ago

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Which Missouri football true freshman could have the biggest impact during rookie season?

Some promising new faces are getting close to their first camp in Columbia.

In a little more than two months, Missouri football will kick off its 2024 season with a game against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. The new campaign brings high hopes, as the Tigers have what shapes up as a good opportunity to reach the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff.

Mizzou reloaded with some enticing signings out of the portal, with 15 new players set to be on campus. A significant portion of the top-30 offense from offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s breakout first year as the playcaller in Columbia is back for more. The schedule, on paper, appears favorable.

The Tigers also signed a top-20 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, with 21 players signing their letter of intent. Seven true freshmen enrolled early, meaning they went through spring camp, but the bulk of the signing class will get their first taste of college football when MU players report for camp in late July.

So, who among the first-year players could help Mizzou on the field in 2024?

Here are five freshmen who could have the biggest impact, based on combining the quality of the recruit and need at the position, on the Tigers’ 2024 season:

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Jaren Sensabaugh, Cameron Keys help Missouri football’s depth at CB

There are reps up for grabs at cornerback in Columbia.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a second-round 2024 NFL Draft pick by the Detroit Lions, and Kris Abrams-Draine, a fifth-round selection by the Denver Broncos, are off to pastures new, leaving both starting corner roles open.

Could one of Missouri’s cornerback recruits — Cameron Keys and Jaren Sensabaugh — stake a claim for some playing time? Both were top-30 recruits at their position in their class, per the recruiting service 247Sports’ rankings.

Dreyden Norwood appears to have locked up a starting role in MU’s secondary, while Clemson transfer and East St. Louis product Toriano Pride Jr. is a favorite to fill the other opening.

Reserve reps, however, are wide open. Marcus Clarke has mostly played as a reserve in the past two seasons. Ja’Mariyon Wayne, Shamar McNeil and Nicholas DeLoach have earned the praise of their position coach, Al Pogue, but haven’t truly been battle-tested yet.

Keys was an early enrollee and went through spring camp — an instant advantage. Sensabaugh shows tremendous tackling ability in the open field on tape and looks like he has good ball skills with some time spent as a wide receiver in high school.

Whoever separates in the fall will get the gig, and that could very well be one of the young newcomers.

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Williams Nwaneri, defensive end

The five-star recruit is more likely than not going to have an on-field role to play as the Tigers go chasing a CFP berth.

Williams Nwaneri, the No. 1 defensive line prospect in his class on 247Sports’ rankings, was Missouri’s signature signing in this class. The Lee’s Summit North in Kansas City product looks college-ready at 6 foot 6, 257 pounds.

The edge rusher will have some stern competition for reps, though. Johnny Walker Jr. was the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP, and Mizzou has replenished reps lost by first-round NFL Draft pick Darius Robinson with Power-conference portal additions Darris Smith and Zion Young. 

Joe Moore III impressed new MU defensive ends coach Brian Early during spring, but fellow 2023 reserve Austin Firestone retired from football after spring camp. That likely opens the door for some instant playing opportunities for Nwaneri — and, perhaps, the Tigers’ other recruits at the position in four-star prospects Jaylen Brown and Elias Williams.

“Excited to get our hands on them,” Early said during spring camp. “Would not be shocked if one or two of them (aren’t) able to help us this fall, just from what I’ve already seen on the high school tape.”

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Nicholas Rodriguez and Brian Huff, linebackers

Similarly to cornerback, some top-end turnover has opened some opportunities.

Nicholas Rodriguez and Brian Huff were both four-star recruits, and head into their first fall camp of college with little settled ahead of them.

Chuck Hicks and Triston Newson were the starters during the Tigers’ Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State, filling in for the injured Ty’Ron Hopper and Chad Bailey. Hopper was then a third-round draft pick, and Bailey exhausted his eligibility. Over the offseason, Missouri got commitments out of Miami transfer Corey Flagg Jr. and South Alabama’s Khalil Jacobs.

The competition at linebacker likely will be one of the more open ones through fall. The returners and transfers will probably be the most likely to take the reins, but don’t discount the rookies.

“Both of those guys are elite players,” Drinkwitz said after early national signing day last December. “Both of those guys are going to come in and be able to contribute and find a role, whether that’s through special teams (or on defense). They both have great size and instincts (and) run well. Really excited about Nick’s leadership capabilities.” 

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