Editor’s note: SDS’ annual preview of SEC East defenses continues with Mizzou. Coming Friday: South Carolina.

The Missouri Tigers had a rather mediocre defense in 2020. They finished 8th in the SEC in total defense, giving up 408 yards per game. They finished 9th in scoring defense, allowing 32.3 points per contest.

However, there are some significant changes heading into the 2021 season. The secondary has been (mostly) rebuilt. A couple of defensive linemen transferred. The linebacking corps lost Nick Bolton, the leader of the defense. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters left for Illinois.

In are a couple of impact transfers and new DC Steve Wilks, who runs a system that features plenty of different looks.

So, where does that leave the Tigers entering the 2021 season? Do they have the talent and depth to take a step forward this fall?

Let’s discuss whether the Tigers will be better or worse in a number of key areas this season:

Pressuring the QB

Mizzou finished 9th in the SEC with 19 sacks in 2020. Tre’ Williams and Bolton had 2 sacks each, but other than that, nearly all of the pass-rushing production is returning.

Trajan Jeffcoat was the breakout star of the 2020 campaign, earning first-team All-SEC honors for racking up 6 sacks, 23 tackles and a forced fumble. The biggest key to the Tigers being better at getting after the quarterback will be for him to continue to improve.

Elsewhere, Akial Byers and Kobie Whiteside are back to clog up the middle of the defensive line. Getting Whiteside back is almost like adding a whole new player, as he was plagued by injuries throughout the 2020 campaign. Back in 2019, he recorded a whopping 7.5 sacks.

If he can get back to that form, he and Jeffcoat will form a nice inside-out pass-rushing tandem.

Other players who could contribute include DE Isaiah McGuire (3 sacks in 2020) and DB Martez Manuel (2.5 sacks). There are lots of options for Wilks to play with. And, based on how much he changes up formations, expect him to move Jeffcoat all over the line and bring Manuel on blitzes from creative spots.

All of that should lead to more than 19 sacks in 2021.

Verdict: Better

Run defense

This, more than anywhere else, is where Bolton’s absence will be felt. Yes, the star linebacker had the speed to be an asset in pass coverage, but he was at his best diagnosing running plays and meeting the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage.

He led the team with 95 tackles in 2020. Devin Nicholson, who will need to step up in a big way this fall, was 2nd with 69 tackles. The Tigers brought in Rice transfer Blaze Alldredge to help fill Bolton’s shoes, but Nicholson will have to be the guy to take over as the defensive leader.

The linebacking corps doesn’t have much depth, as the Tigers keep losing guys (like Gerald Nathan Jr., Jamal Brooks and Aubrey Miller Jr.) to the transfer portal. However, there are still guys who are capable of taking on bigger roles.

But this is the weakest spot of the defense and it is never easy to replace a great linebacker like Bolton. Expect this unit to take a step back in 2021. The Tigers gave up 162.2 yards per game on the ground last year (good for 7th in the SEC). Smart teams will try to increase that total this fall.

Verdict: Worse

Pass defense

I’m glad I didn’t have to write this article earlier this offseason, because the secondary was shaping up to be a major weakness. However, that has all changed dramatically, thanks to a pair of impact transfers from Tulsa.

Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV will now team up with returning CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to form a solid trio in the secondary. Add in the hard-hitting Martez Manuel and young Jalani Williams and the Tigers have the pieces they need to be competitive against the pass.

In 2020, the Tigers were solid against the pass, allowing only 245.8 yards per game through the air. That was good for fifth-best in the SEC. Like last season, the Tigers won’t have much depth in the secondary, but the starting group is pretty solid.

As long as this unit stays healthy in 2021, I think the Tigers should be even better against the pass. Also, they don’t have to play Alabama and LSU, so that should help the numbers, too!

Verdict: Better

Overall

Losing a leader like Bolton definitely hurts. But the Tigers have plenty to be excited for on defense. Impact transfers and a new coordinator are nice, but any improvement Mizzou has this fall will mostly be due to returning players getting better.

They also need to force more turnovers; they only forced 9 last year. Fortunately for Wilks, that’s the sort of stat that tends to even out over time. If he puts his guys in positions to succeed, this group has the talent to cash in on plays that should end in turnovers.

As mentioned earlier, the Tigers also don’t have to face LSU or Alabama this year, so that will help their defensive numbers. All signs point to the floor for this Mizzou defense being similar to last year’s unit.

But there are reasons for optimism, so I am going to predict a slight improvement in Year 1 under Steve Wilks. With a solid effort on defense, this is a team that can pull off even more upsets in Year 2 of the Eli Drinkwitz era.

Verdict: Slightly better