These Missouri football freshmen could earn repeats as rookies in 2024

In a preseason marked by veteran experience and seasoned newcomers, some youngsters are making noise.

Missouri football is fast approaching the 2024 season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29 against Murray State at Faurot Field in Columbia. Behind the scenes, some true freshmen are drawing praise from their peers and mentors.

“I mean, there’s freshmen in every facet of the game, offense, defense, special teams,” Missouri tight end Tyler Stephens said Thursday. “And I think these guys need to understand that they’re needed. For example, it takes every player. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your first year, if you’re in your fifth year, there’s going to be an opportunity to play.”

Mizzou signed 21 players in its 2024 class — a recruiting cycle that brought one five-star, seven four-star and 13 three-star prospects to Columbia. 247Sports recruiting service rated this as the No. 20 signatures from the country.

But when the Tigers pull back the curtains on the new campaign, how many of these rookies will Missouri fans realistically see in Year 1?

Because of the limited portions of practice available to reporters and the available periods consisting mostly of individual and positional drills, it is an imperfect system to try to judge how much playing time each player is likely to earn from practice alone.

So, based on judgment, positional needs and comments from players and coaches throughout fall camp, here are the Missouri freshmen who look the most likely to redshirt in the 2024 season:

More: Projecting Missouri football’s first offensive depth chart since 2024

Did Cameron Keys make the case as a rotation corner for Missouri football?

When you lose both of your starters at one position in the same NFL draft, it’s naturally going to be a shakeup.

With Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. no longer filling the cornerback spots for Mizzou, true freshman Cameron Keys — a three-star commit from Panama City, Fla. — appears to be making a strong case to get some reps early on Mizzou. career.

“Cam Keys did a good job. He’s very physical,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said on Aug. 3. … “When we put our pads on, he already knew what it was going to take and the physicality he had to play with.”

The Tigers’ depth looks to have Dreyden Norwood and Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. as starters. Experienced linebacker Marcus Clarke will likely retain his role as a rotation piece, and redshirt freshman Nicholas DeLoach has been seen working with the Tigers’ first-team unit in camp.

Keys, who is 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds, could be one of the next guys on the rise because he has more power than his listed weight suggests.

“He’s physical, he’s not afraid to stick his head in there,” wide receiver Mookie Cooper said. … “He’s not afraid to stick his head in there and make contact with a receiver. That’s something you don’t see a lot in freshmen, especially at his size.”

The need for Williams Nwaneri may increase after the injury

Five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri would be people’s first guess for the freshman most likely to see playing time as a rookie.

More: Here’s where Missouri football could go after the season-ending injury to EDGE Darris Smith

Mizzou’s staff has no plans to rush the Lee’s Summit North alum onto the court and has tried to temper any undue expectations for the top-10 recruit. But a season-ending injury to Darris Smith in training camp could hasten his journey to land

“The key for us is not to put too many expectations on him,” Drinkwitz said at the start of fall camp. “Let him learn the standards of how we operate every day, and when his opportunity comes, he’ll take it.”

Despite Smith’s injury, the Tigers can ease Nwaneri into the lineup. Johnny Walker Jr., Zion Young, Joe Moore III, Eddie Kelly and Jakhai Lang all seem capable of contributing.

But it would be a surprise not to see Nwaneri at some point to help them carry the load.

Trajan Greco, Jeremiah Beasley special teams candidates

There is a tough road to defensive reps for the young safeties in Missouri football, with more production returning there than any other spot on defense. At linebacker, between returning Cotton Bowl starters and finding experience in the slot, MU appears to be solving its two-deep.

But safety Trajan Greco and linebacker Jeremiah Beasley could still play big roles this season, coming in the form of representatives of the coverage unit.

“Trajan Greco is a guy that really stood out,” Drinkwitz said Saturday. “Jeremiah Beasley has really stood out as a guy who can find a role, whether it’s on special teams, so that was good.”

More: Projecting Mizzou football’s first defensive depth chart since 2024

Will Mizzou’s WRs play?

Four-star wide receivers James Madison II and Courtney Crutchfield both appeared in camp. Crutchfield made a one-handed grab during Tuesday’s practice at Faurot Field for one of the most impressive plays of the day. Madison’s 6-3 frame, in particular, makes him an intriguing option.

But the depth of players in front of them will make offensive snaps rare.

The Tigers don’t have a punt returner set at this point in camp, though Drinkwitz said Saturday the team has a “pretty clear idea” who the top two players will be on that front this season. The coach added that six receivers took reps at the position: Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, Daniel Blood and the two true freshmen Crutchfield and Madison.

These Missouri football freshmen could earn repeats as rookies in 2024

Did Cameron Keys make the case as a rotation corner for Missouri football?

The need for Williams Nwaneri may increase after the injury

Trajan Greco, Jeremiah Beasley special teams candidates

Will Mizzou’s WRs play?

By Matthew. Jr

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These Missouri football freshmen could earn repeats as rookies in 2024

Did Cameron Keys make the case as a rotation corner for Missouri football?

The need for Williams Nwaneri may increase after the injury

Trajan Greco, Jeremiah Beasley special teams candidates

Will Mizzou’s WRs play?

By Matthew. Jr

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