Al Pogue addresses future of Mizzou cornerback room ahead of 2025 season

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Each time a reporter pulled Al Pogue away from his table, his players erupted in cheers.

Pogue, the cornerbacks coach at Missouri, fielded multiple one-on-one interviews Sunday ahead of his fourth Fall Camp with the Tigers. His infectious demeanor already started to rub off on his players, who reported for move-in day this past weekend before their first practice back Monday after summer break.

“Ah, man, it’s been pretty good,” Pogue said about Washington State transfer Stephen Hall. “Steve has done a really good job of coming in meshing with those guys, and those guys have done a really good job of opening their arms, welcoming him to the brotherhood. He was a captain at his last place, so he knows what it takes. He just came in, he worked hard, he didn’t say much, and I think he earned their respect.”

Hall, the lone transfer addition at cornerback this offseason, joined a unit returning three starters in Nick Deloach Jr., Dreyden Norwood and Toriano Pride Jr. With Norwood entering his fourth season at Missouri, he’s already received a request from Pogue to be a more vocal leader.

“(We’re) letting the competition play itself out,” defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said. “TP, Nick, those guys, it was their first year last year, being a part of this and learning as they go. And I felt like in the spring, those guys really just were able to take a breath. They knew it, ‘I understand what coach is talking about here. I understand leverages. I understand where my help is, where my help isn’t.’ And so you see that spin a little faster. So that’s been fun. … I was up here on Saturday, 100 degrees out there, and they’re out there just working.”

Player	2024 snap count	DEF Grade by PFF	COV Grade by PFF
Nick Deloach Jr.	372	60.2	63.4
Dreyden Norwood	593	56.5	59.4
Toriano Pride Jr.	567	69.4	70.3

Deloach, who battled with Pride for snaps in 2024, took better care of his body this offseason, Pogue added, seeing the redshirt sophomore shed a few pounds. Yet even with upperclassmen poised to see the lion’s share of snaps, Pogue saw key developments in his younger core in spring practices.

“Shamar McNeil has always been in that mix, man,” Pogue said of the redshirt sophomore. “We’re looking for him to take the next step as far as his development is concerned. Cameron Keys, he’s dedicated himself to putting on the weight, learning the playbook. … From a knowledge of our defense standpoint, he’s really taken a giant step.”

The Tigers listed Keys at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds on the team-issued roster. Keys, a Class of 2024 Rivals Industry three-star, weighed in at 167 pounds during his freshman season after staying below the 170-mark in high school.

Missouri also lost a rising second-year player in Jaren Sensabaugh as well as veteran Ja’Marion Wayne to the transfer portal. It prompted Pogue to look for a player with multiple years of eligibility in the spring, but the Tigers never signed an additional cornerback.

Yet the staff still brought in freshman Mark Manfred, a three-star in the 2025 class. Defined by his “uber” competitiveness, Manfred boasted confidence in making an instant impact as an early enrollee.

Pogue coaches son for senior season

With less walk-ons this season, in response to new roster limits, Pogue welcomed another newcomer in his own son. Nasir Pogue, a senior defensive back raved by recruits during official visits, transitioned from safety to cornerback this offseason.

“From a physical standpoint, he’s exactly what you’re looking for, a big kid that can run,” the eldest Pogue said. “He’s probably going to be in a tough spot playing for his dad, but we’ll see how it goes.”

Pogue always thought his son would grow out of the position. Transferring into the SEC from Troy in 2023, the younger Pogue fit the billing at 6-foot-2, 199 pounds. Gaining weight played well as a back-up option at both cornerback and safety.

“I think it’s every coach’s dream to have the opportunity to work and develop their son,” the older Pogue said, “and I’m having that opportunity.”