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Missouri didn’t have an ideal season by any stretch of the imagination.
The Tigers started the season with troubles on offense, followed by the suspension Maty Mauk and continued downhill, including a threatened players’ boycott and the resignation of coach Gary Pinkel.
But the Tigers had a few solid playmakers who won’t be back in 2016.
Let’s take a look at the 5 toughest players for Missouri to replace:
1. LB Kentrell Brothers: The nation’s leading tackler with 152 displayed an uncanny ability to track the ball wherever it was on the field. He finished the year with All-SEC first team honors, adding 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, three pass breakups, three interceptions, three blocked kicks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to his resume. Heading into the NFL Draft, he’s rated as the second-best inside linebacker behind Alabama’s Reggie Ragland.
2. C Evan Boehm: Offensive linemen are often harder to judge, but Boehm has been a consistent for the Tigers. At 6-5, 320 pounds, his absence at center will surely be felt. Boehm fought through an ankle injury for most of the year, but still managed to dominate at the point of attack. He should be drafted somewhere in the middle of the NFL Draft.
3. CB Kenya Dennis: Dennis was picked on at times this year, but still a reliable player in the secondary in 2015. He started in all 12 games and recorded 33 tackles, one sack and one interception. He also had six pass deflections.
4. RB Russell Hansbrough: Injured much of the year after rushing for more than 1,000 yards as a junior, Hansbrough was Mizzou’s best playmaker when on the field. The injury and an ineffective line knocked his production down to 436 yards and a touchdown as a senior.
5. OT Connor McGovern: At the start of the season, McGovern was thought to be one of Missouri’s best prospects for the NFL. He is technically listed as a guard, but made the transition to left tackle this season where he struggled at times. But at 6-foot-4, 311 pounds, his presence will surely be missed.
Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.
