Camp Opens: March 6
Spring Game: April 14
On Sunday, November 6, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive officially welcomed the Missouri Tigers to the SEC. It was a monumental, program-changing day for the University, but it did not come without generating animosity and hurt feelings from around the rest of the Big 12. However, with exit fees paid by the administration, with the first full schedule for the Tigers in their new conference set, and with a new branding via Nike set to roll out the day of the spring game, the Tigers enter spring in a unique transition period. The biggest question surrounding this program (the “Can they compete in the SEC?” question) will not be answered
until December. But there are several other questions to try and answer first.
Stability Factor (1 = chaos; 5 = rock solid): 4
Internally, the program’s leadership is solid, as Gary Pinkel has taken the Tigers to a level not seen since the program’s heyday in the 1960s, with very little coaching staff turnover in his time in Columbia. If the program was staying in the Big 12, this would most likely have been a “5.”
When you move neighborhoods as the Tigers are, even if life is pretty good, there is a bit of instability that has to be considered.
Under the Microscope: Eric Waters, Tight End
For a school that has recently produced three All-America tight ends (Chase Coffman, Martin Rucker, Michael Egnew) and has, in its past, produced a NFL Hall of Famer at the position (Kellen Winslow), it is a bit of a stunner to look at the depth chart and see that there is currently only one
scholarship player at the position, and that he is a rising sophomore to boot. Thusly, Eric Waters is under the microscope not just to see how he produces as
the default starter at this position, but to see if he can avoid injury as well.
Locked and Loaded: Linebacker
When a team return the leading tackler in 2010 (WLB Zaviar Gooden), the leading tackler in 2011 (SLB Andrew Wilson) and the third leading tackler from 2009 (MLB Will Ebner, returning after missing 2011 with an injury), it’s safe to say that’s a strong foundation for the middle of the defense.
Jockeying for Position: Offensive & Defensive Line
With play in the trenches being important no matter what your conference affiliation, but especially as it is emphasized in the SEC, it is critical for the Tigers to get the offensive line sorted out at the guard position and (more importantly) get through practice with no more injuries on
the defensive line.
Name to Know: Elvis Fisher, Offensive Tackle
Elvis is back in the building for the Missouri Tigers, and that is a very fortuitous development indeed. Fisher, who received a
medical redshirt last season after rupturing a patellar tendon in his left knee in August, can and will provide veteran leadership along the line and will serve as the protector of quarterback James Franklin’s blind side.
Spring will be a success if…: The team avoids becoming a M*A*S*H unit.
Already down a starting tailback (Henry Josey ruptured his ACL, MCL and patellar tendon in a win over Texas in November), and with starters injured along the defensive line (DT Sheldon Richardson, DE Brad Madison), it would benefit the Tigers as they get ready for this new era to get to preseason practice in August with as many healthy bodies as possible.
