Much like the rest of the Tigers’ offseason, one of the Eastern Division’s best players hasn’t often been mentioned this spring.

And I’m certain it doesn’t bother him a bit.

Russell Hansbrough is Mizzou’s most valuable player on offense, a business-like running back capable of carrying an up-and-down Maty Mauk-led unit on his back if offensive coordinator Josh Henson so chooses.

Hansbrough had the fifth-most carries for any tailback in the SEC last season and managed a respectable 5.29 average, better than 2015 NFL draft selections T.J. Yeldon, Matt Jones, Mike Davis and Kenny Hilliard.

But he won’t be listed on any preseason ‘Who’s Who’ in SEC backfields. He’ll simply do what he has always done and that’s lower his shoulder, deliver a seismic collision and keep it moving.

Entering his senior season, Hansbrough has developed into a complete back coming off his most impressive spring practice at Mizzou. He no longer struggles in pass protection, has worked on avoiding a tendency to run East-West and looks as if he has improved his speed from a season ago.

Hansbrough’s overall workload was light during 15 spring practices, but he did manage a vintage 65-yard touchdown gallop in the Tigers’ first scrimmage, racing past linebackers and through the secondary on his way to the end zone.

Mizzou’s 13-2 (0.866) over the last two years when Hansbrough has received 10 or more carries as the Tigers’ primary workhorse. Both losses came last season, one that was given away late in the fourth quarter against Indiana and the other against Alabama, the SEC’s top-rated run defense.

Tracking Hansbrough: Career impact in 10-plus carry games

  • 31 yards vs. Toledo (W, 2013)
  • 104 yards vs. Indiana (W, 2013)
  • 47 yards vs. Florida (W, 2013)
  • 126 yards vs. South Dakota State (W, 2014)
  • 84 yards vs. Toledo (W, 2014)
  • 119 yards vs. Indiana (L, 2014)
  • 43 yards vs. South Carolina (W, 2014)
  • 35 yards vs. Florida (W, 2014)
  • 87 yards vs. Vanderbilt (W, 2014)
  • 19 yards vs. Kentucky (W, 2014)
  • 199 yards vs. Texas A&M (W, 2014)
  • 68 yards vs. Tennessee (W, 2014)
  • 91 yards vs. Arkansas (W, 2014)
  • 21 yards vs. Alabama (L, 2014)
  • 114 yards vs. Minnesota (W, 2014 bowl)

If the Tigers take a deliberate, almost stubborn approach in feeding No. 32 this season, chances are Gary Pinkel’s team will be in the championship mix once again in late November. Without Marcus Murphy, Hansbrough’s influence on the game plan will increase by default and should lead to another 1,000-yard season.

Rest assured this guy will be a mid-round steal in next year’s draft. But Hansbrough has an SEC Championship to try and win first as one of college football’s most underrated ballcarriers.