Depth Chart Thursday: Projecting Missouri's New-Look Starters
After an offseason of coaching shifts and heavy portal activity, here is how the Tigers' depth chart is shaping up.
Welcome to another edition of Depth Chart Thursday. As we navigate the heart of Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026, the Missouri Tigers find themselves in a fascinating position of reinvention under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.
Because of the massive $250 million Memorial Stadium North End Zone project, Mizzou scrapped its traditional spring game this year, opting instead for 15 closed practices that wrapped up on March 19. Behind closed doors, the coaching staff began piecing together a heavily revamped depth chart following a program-record-tying six players being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and a 13-7 loss to Virginia in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to end the 2025 campaign.
Offense: Simmons Takes the Reins
The biggest news of the spring comes at the most important position. With Kirby Moore departing for Washington State, new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has officially handed the keys to the offense to Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons. Simmons secured the QB1 role following the transfer departure of Beau Pribula, leaving Matt Zollers and Nick Evers to round out the quarterback depth chart.
Simmons will have plenty of new weapons. Mizzou completely overhauled its wide receiver room through the transfer portal. Expect impact additions like Cayden Lee, Naeshaun Montgomery, and Caleb Goodie to immediately challenge for starting reps alongside key returning starter Donovan Olugbode. Up front and in the backfield, the Tigers will rely on a solid core of returners, including offensive linemen Cayden Green and Tristan Wilson, tight end Brett Norfleet, and running backs Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts.
Defense: Reloading the Secondary
Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon faces the challenge of replacing significant production. The defensive line and linebacker corps lost key names like Zion Young, Josiah Trotter, and Chris McClellan to the NFL Draft. However, the secondary depth chart has seen the most drastic turnover.
With defensive backs like Toriano Pride Jr., Dreyden Norwood, and Daylan Carnell departing for the pros, the Tigers attacked the portal to restock the defensive backfield. Transfers Jahlil Florence, Demarcus Johnson, and Kenric Lanier II are projected to step in immediately and battle for starting spots in the new-look secondary.
As the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season continues, these position battles will be critical for a Missouri team looking to break in a wave of new talent ahead of the highly anticipated debut of the Centennial Project renovations this fall.
Published 5 months ago
Staff
Staff writer for SEC Saturday Wire covering college sports.
Process Notes & Methodology
The overall angle focuses on projecting Mizzou's depth chart following a heavily transformative offseason, aligning perfectly with the 'Depth Chart Thursday' theme. It addresses the significant roster turnover and coaching changes while emphasizing how the Tigers are rebuilding.
The intro hooks the reader by mentioning the theme and explaining that despite the lack of a spring game due to the $250 million stadium project, the 15 closed practices provided a foundation for the depth chart. It also references the 13-7 Gator Bowl loss to Virginia.
The body is structured around the offensive and defensive depth charts. It highlights Austin Simmons winning QB1 under new OC Chip Lindsey, the WR portal overhaul featuring Cayden Lee, returning starters like Cayden Green, and DC Corey Batoon's task of replacing NFL departures in the secondary with transfers like Jahlil Florence.
The conclusion pivots to the remainder of the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season, noting that these depth chart battles are crucial preparation for the debut of the newly renovated Memorial Stadium this fall.
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