Perhaps no SEC team needs more immediate impact from its freshmen than Missouri.

That’s because the Tigers are almost completely depleted in two typical positions of strength: receiver and defensive line. Both personnel groups were dominated by departed upperclassmen in 2014, and both also experienced attrition due to premature departures of underclassmen, including DE Marcus Loud and WR Lawrence Lee.

Enter the freshmen. Both redshirted and first-year players will have to take on increased responsibilities earlier than they may have anticipated at those positions. There are also a few freshmen from other positions who performed well enough in camp to warrant coach Gary Pinkel giving them game time.

WR KEYON DILOSA

After redshirting last season, Dilosa put on the extra muscle needed to compete in the SEC. That’s great news for the Tigers, who were dealing with injuries to two starting receivers as August camp came to a close. Dilosa didn’t have a particularly productive camp, but he’s versatile enough to play both wide receiver and slot, so expect him to contribute this season.

WR DESEAN BLAIR

The redshirt freshman has been Missouri’s best receiver throughout fall camp, blowing away expectations of nearly everyone while giving himself a real shot at starting as an outside receiver. If he performs as well as he did against Missouri’s defensive starters during fall camp, Blair will be a guy Tigers fans will be cheering on for years.

DT TERRY BECKNER JR.

Missouri’s top recruit of 2015, Beckner enters the season with a ton of hype and even more responsibility. With DT Josh Augusta having trouble playing three downs in a row last season, expect Beckner to contribute immediately on the interior, if not earn himself a starting spot.

WR EMANUEL HALL

Although playing mostly against second and third stringers, Hall has been one of the Tigers most productive receivers throughout their three August scrimmages. He’ll be buried behind Blair and J’Mon Moore at the Z spot on the outside, but don’t be surprised if Hall earns playing time on the opposite side to add dynamism to Missouri’s offense.

DE WALTER BRADY

The redshirt freshman had been losing ground on his starting spot to Marcell Frazier as camp progressed, with many who cover the Tigers pegging the JUCO transfer to be atop Missouri’s depth chart by the time the team kicks off in September. But make no mistake — Brady will contribute early and often to this depleted line.

LB TEREZ HALL

Hall is an interesting case because of the position he plays; Missouri is among the deepest SEC teams at linebacker. But the Tigers used six linebackers regularly last season, and new defensive coordinator Barry Odom is coming from a system at Memphis where he played four at a time. Hall isn’t going to displace Kentrell Brothers or Michael Scherer, but the 6-foot-2, 215 pound freshman has been excellent in camp and has earned potential playing time.

P COREY FATONY

Pinkel split punting duties between Fatony and junior Dayton Balvanz throughout camp, saying after the third scrimmage that there was a competition between the two. But Fatony will be Missouri’s punter for years to come, and will definitely be given plenty of chances to impact the team in 2015.