College Football Preview Magazine:

The Most Overlooked Position Group in the Country for 2023

The Missouri Tigers are set to have potentially their best defense in the history of their program. While it may not be at the level of a Georgia or Alabama in depth or talent, they have the pieces in place to be special this season.

Starting up front, Missouri returns two of the three best returning defensive tackles in the SEC: Realus George Jr. and Darius Robinson. However, neither of these players is projected as starting tackles. This is because of the depth the Tigers have at interior defensive line. Kristian Williams and Jayden Jernigan will start at defensive tackle, with Realus George Jr. and Josh Landry providing quality depth. Robinson will now show off his pass-rushing skills at one of the defensive end positions.

We are also high on the Missouri linebackers. They are ranked in the top ten returning SEC linebackers and Missouri’s starting linebackers are the top two. Chad Bailey and Ty’Ron Hopper both return for what will likely be their last seasons in a Missouri uniform. Both will likely be drafted next April.

Speaking of NFL upside, perhaps the most talented position group on the Missouri roster is their defensive secondary. All five starters could have an NFL future. Multiple defensive backs decided to run it back one more season as the Tigers return 96% of their passes defensed. The cornerback tandem of Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine is one of the best in the country. They had a combined 24 pass deflections last season. Dreyden Norwood provides quality depth to the cornerback room.

The safeties are just as talented. Seniors Jaylon Carlies and Joseph Charleston are among two of the top four returning tacklers (with linebackers Hopper and Bailey). Both Carlies and Charleston are great athletes who are very physical and can make plays in space. Sophomore nickelback Daylan Carnell is the only underclassman in the starting lineup on Mizzou’s defense, but he might be the most talented of all. Carnell tied for the team lead in interceptions (3) in 2022 with Carlies.

Missouri returns eight starters and 83% of their overall defensive production, which is good for 3rd in the country. The Tigers could have at least four to five (maybe more) of these players drafted next April. The Missouri defense might just be the most overlooked position group in the entire country entering this season.