Our daily fall camp preview series continues with the Mizzou Tigers, a team that’s projected to finish third in the Eastern Division despite back-to-back trips to Atlanta, according to league media.

Personnel

For the first time since Mizzou joined in the SEC in 2012, the Tigers have serious personnel questions along the defensive line and at wide receiver entering fall camp. The unexpected losses of All-American candidate Harold Brantley and pass rusher Marcus Loud during the offseason further complicates the problem the Tigers’ front four that was facing after replacing Shane Ray and Markus Golden off last season’s team. Mizzou’s coaching staff and players raved about the progress defensive end Charles Harris has made as a potential top threat on the outside, a player the Tigers desperately need to break out in camp.

The situation’s considerably murky at wide receiver where Mizzou replaces its top four wide receivers from last season. Quarterback Maty Mauk said at SEC Media Days that he’s confident the Tigers’ projected two-deep at the position coming out of spring will surprise the opposition and was especially high on his two tight ends, Sean Culkin and Jason Reese. Nate Brown and J’Mon Moore are expected to compete for No. 1 job on the outside.

Primary position battles

Defensive tackle, defensive end — Josh Augusta vs. A.J. Logan vs. Terry Beckner vs. Walter Brady: With Rickey Hatley expected to start at nose guard over Augusta and Harris at one of the defensive end spots, that leaves two positions up for grabs along Mizzou’s defensive line — one on the interior and one on the outside. Expected to be brought on slowly as a situational second-team threat as a freshman, five-star run stopper Terry Beckner could now find himself playing a ton of snaps this season if he adjusts quickly to Barry Odom’s scheme during camp. Walter Brady was listed as the backup to Loud at defensive end throughout the spring but is projected to start following Loud’s dismissal. Mizzou’s expected to mix in more of a 3-4 look this season that will perhaps mask some of the personnel losses up front and eliminate the need for a second interior lineman.

Linebacker —  Donavin Newsom vs. Clarence Green: With the weakside and middle linebacker positions secured by top tacklers and All-SEC candidates Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer this season, Mizzou’s strongside spot remains up for grabs. On the most recent depth released at media days, junior Donavin Newsom is listed as the starter over senior Clarence Green following a productive spring. You can expect that competition to become more heated in August. Newsom made four starts last fall and was particularly effective in pass-rush situations. Green’s strength comes in run support.

End goal

Finding some sort of consistency on offense is paramount to Mizzou’s success this season following a lackluster spring from a production standpoint. The Tigers’ dominant front seven looks vastly different a few months after the fact and will work on getting back to its fierce pass-rushing capabilities indicative of its ‘DL-Zou’ reputation. Keeping tailback Russell Hansbrough on his feet, ironing out the rotation at wide receiver and establishing confidence along the defensive line are primary factors to watch during fall camp for the Tigers.