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Missouri kicked off its spring practice on March 8, which will end with its spring game on April 16. The Tigers ended 2016 with a 5-7 (1-7 SEC) overall record and ranked sixth in the SEC East after back-to-back division titles in 2013-14.
But Missouri’s most notable events took place off the field. The Tigers’ roster announced its decision to boycott its November game against BYU unless former university president, Tom Wolfe, resigned following his handling of on-campus racial incidents.
Former coach Gary Pinkel — as well as Missouri’s governor — supported his players during the boycott, which lasted less than 48 hours after Wolfe resigned from his position.
Days later, Pinkel announced his decision to retire after the season after revealing he was diagnosed with lymphoma in May. Pinkel spent 15 seasons at Missouri and was the winningest coach in program history.
Former defensive coordinator Barry Odom will replace the veteran coach in 2015. Odom will need to capture momentum early in his first spring practice as head coach. Here’s what to watch for in Columbia, Mo. this spring.
Odom’s first impression
It’s always important to make good first impression. Odom hopes to do that with Missouri fans during his first spring practice session. The first-year coach will face the tall task of replacing a legend who led two teams to SEC East division titles in the past three years.
He does, however, have the advantage of familiarity with his team after having coached Missouri’s defense in 2015. Odom also has the early support of his players, who welcomed him with cheers when he revealed himself as their new head coach.
But spring practice will provide the first glimpse of what to expect from the Tigers during Odom’s tenure as head coach.
Quarterback situation
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(Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)
Missouri needs to find a starter at quarterback and one thing’s for certain, it won’t be Maty Mauk. The former starter was dismissed after a tumultuous season that included multiple suspensions. Shortly after, redshirt sophomore Eddie Printz announced his decision to transfer.
Missouri has two returning scholarship quarterbacks in Drew Lock — who split time with Mauk in 2015 — and Marvin Zanders, and added JUCO transfer Jack Lowary in February. Lock is the favorite to start given his experience, but the lack of depth otherwise should concern Tigers fans.
Focus on Terry Beckner Jr. and Harold Brantley
Harold Brantley is returning after missing his entire senior season recovering from multiple injuries suffered in a car accident last June. Brantley took his first reps since the accident and impressed his new coach, according to Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Barry Odom: DT Harold Brantley got some work in practice today, sounded very pleased to see that this soon
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 9, 2016
Terry Beckner Jr. was one of several players who sat out during Missouri’s first spring practice on Tuesday. Beckner is returning from surgery on his right ACL but Odom is optimistic that both he and safety Tavon Ross — who is also recovering from an ACL tear — will make his return in spring, according to David Morrison of the Columbia Tribune.
“Both are going to be very limited,” Odom said. “We’re going to make sure, I don’t want a guy out here coming off of that injury that’s not ready to go. That’s going to be Rex’s call. I have 100 percent trust in getting those guys back in the timeframe we need them back. Those two guys, they need to get all the mental reps that they can. They need to be great learners in the classroom right now, and then we’ve got to do a great job when they’re ready to get back out there.”
Brantley and Beckner could provide a strong 1-2 punch on the interior line if healthy. They will receive plenty of attention during spring practice as they look to bounce back from major injuries.
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