Young players seize increased opportunities during Missouri football's bye week
Missouri football was banged up entering the bye week. Offensively and defensively, the Tigers had players across the roster who just needed time to heal.
Among those who were given some rest during the idle week were quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden. On the other side, linebacker Chad Bailey and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine were still recovering.
“Bye week came at a great time for our team really to recharge and refresh and get healthy,” Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said during the SEC coaches teleconference last week.
The state of the team at the time allowed for some of the younger Tigers to take on an expanded role during practice. For some of the players lower down on the depth chart, it would be an opportunity to show off their talents.
Some younger talent, like Burden and fellow freshman wideout Mehki Miller, have made major contributions already this season. The bye allowed other players a chance, and many of them were able to take advantage, impressing the coaching staff with how they seized the moment.
One such player was defensive lineman Marquis Gracial. The freshman from St. Louis was mentioned by both Drinkwitz and defensive coordinator Blake Baker as one who stood out with increased reps.
Drinkwitz also noted fellow defensive lineman Jalen Marshall.
“Did some really good things in the interior,” Drinkwitz said of those two. “Really excited about their growth. They just happen to have a lot of depth in front of them right now, but you can’t get frustrated with the process.”
The coaches mentioned Johnny Walker as another defensive lineman who performed well during the bye week. At linebacker, Xavier Simmons and DJ Wesolak drew the attention of Baker, who also cited Isaac Thompson and Jamarion Wayne as standouts in the defensive backfield.
Ky Montgomery also got the chance for more action. For Montgomery, who missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and hasn’t played yet this season, the opportunity was a big one.
“Really improving,” Drinkwitz said. “Hasn’t played football in a year and it’s been awesome to see him really engage in football activities.”
Still, for some of the younger players to get on the field this season, Missouri would need some unfortunate circumstances like more injuries, according to Baker.
“A lot of guys that showed flashes,” Baker said of some of the youngsters. “That’s really what you’re looking for in that kind of setting. That consistency for sure probably won’t be where you want it on an every-down basis, but there were some really good individual flashes throughout the week."
On offense, it was more of the same. With Cook avoiding contact drills to heal up a bit, it led to more chances for some other quarterbacks.
Besides Cook, seventh-year senior Jack Abraham is the only other quarterback who has seen action for the Tigers this season. Throughout the week off, Drinkwitz looked further down the depth chart.
“I thought both our quarterbacks, both Sam (Horn) and Tyler (Macon), practiced well on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the scrimmages both led touchdown drives,” Drinkwitz said. “Sam led multiple touchdown drives. Of course (it) wasn’t perfect, but better ownership of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Macon, a redshirt freshman, and Horn, a true freshman, were part of the four-way competition for the starting job during fall camp, but haven’t yet been on the field this season. Last week, Drinkwitz said during the SEC teleconference that Horn could earn his way into a game at some point this season, but nothing would be given if he wasn’t ready.
That philosophy likely applies to many of the other young players who got a chance in practice over the last week. Still, the increased experience for them can only help Missouri’s future.
“The whole young class,” defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat said of which of the underclassmen impressed him during the week off. “There’s the opportunity to prove themselves and how hard they work as well. I feel like as a unit, as an offense, as a defense, all the younger guys did good.”
Missouri will be back in action on Saturday at Faurot Field against Vanderbilt. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff and will air on the SEC Network.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Sam Horn, Marquis Gracial and more seize moment for Mizzou football
