Running back by committee, starting punter listed on Mizzou football's Week 1 depth chart

Just days until the season opener against Louisiana Tech, Missouri football on Sunday released its depth chart for the contest with the Bulldogs. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed confidence in his group while addressing the media.

"Our goal going into camp was to establish the 22-deep,” Drinkwitz said during his weekly press conference on Sunday. “We felt like we’ve done that.”

Here’s what to know about the depth chart before game time.

More: Mizzou football opens the 2022 season against Louisiana Tech. Here’s how to watch.

Running back by committee?

Missouri listed three running backs as the possible starters on the depth chart: Elijah Young, Cody Schrader and Nate Peat. Drinkwitz said those three will see the bulk of the carries in Thursday’s game.

“It’s who gets the hot hands, or the hot legs, I guess, would be the guy that’s going to continue on,” Drinkwitz said. “Each have their own strengths and things that they do well and so we’ll play to those strengths until we feel like one has shown that they can handle the whole load.”

Peat, a Rock Bridge alum who transferred to Missouri from Stanford during the offseason, has spent camp dealing with what Drinkwitz termed a “soft-tissue" injury. The Tigers head coach said Peat has hopefully recovered from the issue.

Freshman Tavorus Jones has also had injury issues throughout camp and Drinkwitz said he could play but will likely not see carries in-game until he gets live reps during practice.

“Really, really talented,” Drinkwitz said of Jones. “Disappointed that that happened, and he’s going to be a factor at some point.”

The 'ors'

The depth chart as released on Sunday is full of players listed as “or,” meaning the spot is not completely settled and can go either way. Besides the running backs, other groups with multiple possible listed starters include tight end, the Z and H wide receiver spots, safety and punt returner.

For the punt returner spot, Drinkwitz said Kris Abrams-Draine will likely go first, but Luther Burden could also get a chance.

“Depends how many times we can make them punt,” Drinkwitz said.

The depth chart doesn’t list an established backup quarterback, with Jack Abraham, Sam Horn and Tyler Macon all set as possible options. Drinkwitz has previously said that game situations will determine who takes the field should starter Brady Cook be injured.

One factor that Drinkwitz said did not impact his decision-making was whether players would transfer out through the portal if not selected. He said he would not consider the threat of transfers when determining playing time.

“If you give something that they haven’t earned, it cheapens it,” Drinkwitz said. “They’ve got to earn it. At the end of the day, I’ve got to lay my head on the pillow at night knowing however it turned out, I’m comfortable with it. And I wouldn’t be comfortable if I just gave somebody something that they hadn’t earned.”

More: Building Brady: How Brady Cook rose from young Mizzou fan to starting quarterback

The longest battle has been settled

The Tigers at long last have named a starting punter. Sean Koetting was listed as having won the job.

The position competition stretched throughout camp, with Drinkwitz consistently listing it as the most difficult to settle. By the start of game week, though, Koetting had earned the spot.

"It’s just the consistency,” Drinkwitz said. “When we said the last four days were going to determine it, Sean had the better and most consistent of those four days and he had earned it, so we’ll take it.”

Jack Stonehouse was listed as the backup on Sunday’s depth chart. Luke Bauer was also part of the competition early on, but Koetting and Stonehouse separated themselves.

Despite the issue being settled for the first game, Drinkwitz said the others could have a chance later on if they continue to be solid in practice.

“(Koetting) right now is our starting punter, and we have all the confidence that he’s going to go out there and perform at a high level,” Drinkwitz said. “But just like at the quarterback position, feel capable that if it’s not going the way it needs to go, we’ve got somebody there who’s very good.”

Mizzou's first depth chart

Offense

Quarterback

1. Brady Cook

2. Sam Horn OR Jack Abraham OR Tyler Macon

Running back

1. Elijah Young OR Cody Schrader OR Nathaniel Peat

Wide receiver

Z

1. Chance Luper OR Mookie Cooper OR Tauskie Dove

X 

1. Luther Burden

2. Tauskie Dove OR Chance Luper

H

1. Dominic Lovett OR Barrett Banister

2. Mehki Miller

Tight end

1. Tyler Stephens OR Kibet Chepyator

2. Ryan Hoerstkamp

Offensive line

Left tackle

1. Javon Foster

2. Bobby Lawrence

Left guard

1. Xavier Delgado

2. Luke Griffin

Center

1. Connor Tollison

2. Richard Taylor OR Drake Hemismeyer

Right guard

1. Connor Wood

2. Ej Ndoma-Ogar OR Mitchekk Walters

Right tackle

1. Zeke Powell

2. Armand Membou

Defense

Defensive end

1. Trajan Jeffcoat

2. DJ Coleman OR Johnny Walker

1. Isaiah McGuire

2. Arden Walker OR Tyrone Hopper

Defensive tackle

1. Darius Robinson

2. Kristian Williams OR Daniel Robeldo

1. Jayden Jernigan

2. Josh Landry OR Realus George

Linebacker

Mike

1. Chad Bailey

2. Dameon Wilson OR Will Norris

Will

1. Ty’Ron Hopper

2. Devin Nicholson

Cornerback

1. Kris Abrams-Draine

2. Dreyden Norwood

1. Ennis Rakestraw

2. DJ Jackson OR LJ Hewitt

Safety

1. Jaylon Carlies

2. Tyler Hibbler OR Ja’Marion Wayne

1. Joseph Charleston OR Jalani Williams

Star

1. Martez Manuel

2. Daylan Carnell

Matt Stahl is the Missouri athletics beat reporter for the Columbia Daily Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @mattstahl97.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mizzou football: Depth chart for 2022 game against Louisiana Tech