Mizzou dismisses starting DE Marcus Loud

An otherwise-quiet Wednesday afternoon in May got interrupted when Missouri announced it has dismissed redshirt sophomore Marcus Loud from the football team.

Loud, at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, had been groomed alongside Charles Harris to replace standouts Shane Ray and Marcus Golden at defensive end.

Marcus Loud has been dismissed from MU's football program for a violation of team policies, according to spokesman Chad Moller.

— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) May 20, 2015

Loud, a sophomore, was a favorite to be one of the Tigers' starting defensive ends.

— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) May 20, 2015

Loud played in all 14 games in a limited role last season. His dismissal is surprising news for Mizzou’s defensive line, and details of the decision have yet to emerge.

I've been trying to confirm the Marcus Loud dismissal for the last few hours. We heard it isn't a legal situation that led to dismissal.

— Pete Scantlebury (@PeteScantlebury) May 20, 2015

Walter Brady and Rocel McWilliams, projected as backups after spring practice, now could compete for a starting spot at the position, with either Spencer Brady or Marcell Frazier moving into the rotation. Another option is to move Rickey Hatley, who exited spring practice ahead of Josh Augusta at defensive tackle, back to defensive end.