You know who the two best players in Missouri football are heading into the 2024 season. Luther Burden is reaching his full potential as one of the best players in college football. And Brady Cook has blossomed into a star, a consistent leader and a gritty player who also plays a great quarterback.
But what about the third best player? Will he be a box score player like Marcus Carroll, who ran for 1,350 yards at Georgia State last year? Maybe a veteran like Christian Williams or Theo Weese? Perhaps Caden Green is your pick, with his incredible recruiting history, coveted transfer status, and NFL prospects. Not to mention the many young breakout candidates.
While it may be too early in the calendar year to definitively say a player is Missouri's third-best player, there is no shortage of candidates to replace the horde of departed NFL draft picks. It's a good problem to have so many high-quality players. Hopefully we have guys like Schröder, Robinson, Foster, and the cornerback tandem that are ready to step up and be great.
Let's see who can solidify their spot as BMOC this fall. We detail the 10 possibilities, grouped by similarity.
aggressive veteran
Theo Weese, wide receiver – After three tumultuous years in Norman, Weese had a productive full season in Columbia, where his outside skill set up a nice development for Luther Burden in the frame. Weese should improve with 682 yards and six touchdowns while bringing valuable veteran leadership.
Armando Menbou, right tackle – Lee's Summit's first in the parade started every game at right tackle last fall and had six games with over 80 points in PFF pass block scoring. He will only continue to develop as a second-year starter as he continues his development. Menbo has gained national attention for his impressive athleticism and strong blocking. He's a favorite of ESPN analyst and former Auburn lineman Cole Kubelik.
mainstay of defense
Johnny Walker Jr., EDGE – He made the most of his opportunities last year, totaling eight sacks and winning the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP. However, he lost his temper and was sent off in one game and committed a personal foul in another. Robinson was relentlessly underdogs last season, but if Walker takes another step forward, he could be a game-changer. Robinson was a magnet, opening things up for Walker. It's time for him to pay for it.
Christian Williams, Interiors – Defensive tackles will never get the numbers on the box score, and skill position players will never get the attention of fans, but Interior's overwhelming strength makes him arguably the most important player in modern college football. He is one of the Williams wasn't a great player, much less a dominant player, during his two years at Mizzou. A rapid rise in his final season at one of the most important positions in sports could do wonders for Mizzou's defense.
transfer
Kayden Green, left tackle – The former blue-chip company is the most obvious choice on paper. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and was the most coveted tackle in the transfer portal until Alabama's Kaedin Proctor arrived. Green started at left guard for the Sooners and struggled in run blocking, according to PFF scores. He will slide into the all-important left tackle position and will be a rock for Mizzou for the foreseeable future.
Toriano Pride, Cornerback – This is a leap of faith. Pride, also a former blue-chip recruit, was taken out of the rotation at Clemson due to the emergence of some very talented freshmen. Mizzou has done a great job developing cornerbacks in recent years, and a change of scenery may be just what the St. Louis native needs to revitalize his career. Could he fill Chris Abrams-Drain's huge spot?
Marcus Carroll/Nate Noel, running back – For now, articles like this will cover these guys as a pair. Both are fifth-year players in the Sun Belt East and have plenty of experience in the kind of zone-blocking scheme favored by Eli Drinkwitz. Carroll emerged as a workhorse last year once he had a clear depth chart, being small and vulnerable, a capable runner, and an excellent closer. Did you know? Noel's explosive rush has made him a star at Boone University since he stepped on campus in 2020 when he was healthy. If I had to choose one player to be Mizzou's third-best player, it would be Noel. Because it signifies true game-breaking ability from the Tigers' lead.
leap candidate
Dylan Carnell, Star – Is there a more literal position name than where the kernels line up? The tall defensive back is destined for stardom in Colombia with his ball awareness and playmaking. While Martez Manuel primarily played near the line of scrimmage or in support of the pass rush, Carnell was used as a Swiss Army knife last fall — a role that allowed Yam Banks to become a national defender in Corey Batoon's South Alabama defense. He became one of the best players. Carnell could follow in Banks' footsteps and build on his performance at the Cotton Bowl, where he played the Royal Terror.
Tristan Newson, linebacker – Newson was the talk of spring ball in 2023 thanks to his sideline-to-sideline play and havoc-creating. However, he played little in the early fall. He got his chance late in the season when Tyrone Hopper was out with an injury. Newson stepped in to fill out the stat sheet, as did the runners behind the line of scrimmage. He plays a position and style that produces an impressive stat line that will catch the eye of even the most casual viewer.
Connor Tollison, center – Now, listen. Brady Cook has evolved from a punching bag for the fan base to a beloved pizzeria, and Tollison is poised to do the same. Once the face of a struggling offensive line in 2022 and a source of penalties and mistakes in 2023, he actually developed into a very good run blocker last fall. Tollison could be one of the best interior linemen in the SEC in 2024 if he takes another leap in his play like he did last season, cleaning up his snap troubles and improving his pass protection. He's still a junior and has started in 26 games of his career, but appearances like this aren't unusual for the once highly-touted rookie.
Missouri has two bonafide college football superstars to headline its 2024 campaign. Luther Burden will be one of the faces of the sport this fall. There are many possibilities to join them as a star for the Tigers, but who would you choose?
