Missouri Football: Can Tigers pose threat to Georgia, Florida in SEC East?

Missouri hopes to improve on defense under new coordinator

After being a solid defense team under former head coach Barry Odom, Missouri took a big dip last season and that led to Eli Drinkwitz making an interesting hire at defensive coordinator, with former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks taking the job. Wilks has a lot of work to do to turn the Tigers around on that side of the ball.

The defensive line is going to be bringing back a lot of experience in 2021. First-team All-SEC defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat is back to lead the Tigers front and he will be joined by Kobie Whiteside on the interior and Isaiah McGuire on the other edge. Look for Aklal Byers to step in and be a contributor as well in his senior season.

The linebacker corps is going to take a bit of a hit with the departure of Nick Bolton, who left for the NFL. Devin Nicholson is back after having 82 tackles last season and he will be expected to lead the group with Bolton no longer there. Chad Bailey is likely to take the other spot next to Nicholson. Look out for Rice transfer Blaze Alldredge to challenge for playing time as well.

In the secondary, Ennis Rakestraw Jr and Martez Manuel are back as starters, but this group is going to have some new faces in it. Chris Shearin, JC Carlies, and Ishmael Burdine are going to be the favorites to get starting roles, but watch out for transfers like Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV to get a look as well.