Mizzou post-spring depth chart analysis: Cornerback
My look through the Mizzou post-spring depth chart continues with the cornerbacks. We’re nearing the end of a week sprinting through the Tiger position groups.
If you want to read the other position group analysis I’ve already written, you can find them here:
Who’s in the room
- Redshirt senior Chris Graves Jr.
- Redshirt senior Sione Laulea
- Redshirt senior Jahlil Florence
- Redshirt senior Nasir Pogue (walk-on)
- Redshirt junior Nick DeLoach Jr.
- Redshirt sophomore Cameron Keys
- Incoming freshman Jaxson Gates (four-star)
- Incoming freshman Trashundon Neal (three-star)
- Incoming freshman Ahmod Billins (three-star)
Analysis
This room changed more than any other on the Tiger roster from last year to this year. Out of nine players in the group, only two were with Mizzou last year.
I’m going to assume the Tigers will once again operate a three-man cornerback rotation. And Graves certainly has one of those spots locked up.
He received a lot of praise during spring camp from coaches and players alike. It seems like he’s just a really solid player. Corners have often had some trouble adjusting to the Tigers’ system, but so far it seems like Graves has gotten going immediately.
But after him, I think the No. 2 and 3 spots are up for grabs. Laulea spent spring ball in a green non-contact jersey and Florence got recruited over at Oregon largely because his long-term injury recovery didn’t go as quickly as the Ducks hoped. Both have talent, and Laulea has the advantage of being 6-foot-4. He’s easily the tallest guy in the room.
But DeLoach has starting experience for the Tigers and Keys was a riser during last year’s fall camp.
Gates seems like the type of freshman who might be ready to get involved early, too. The other two freshmen, I’m not as focused on at the moment.
So that leaves a four- or five-man competition for two spots, depending on Gates, in my mind.
I would say DeLoach has an edge, but that fact Mizzou recruited over him twice after being a starter is somewhat worrying. So I’ll give the edge to the Oregon guys for now.
My guess at the depth chart right now
Primary rotation: Chris Graves, Sione Laulea, Jahlil Florence
Backups: Nick DeLoach, Cameron Keys, Jaxson Gates
Depth: Ahmod Billins, Trashundon Neal