Notebook: Observations and Updates From Tigers’ Aug. 17 Practice

The media was allowed a 30-minute viewing period for Mizzou’s 12th practice of fall camp. The team took to the outdoor practice fields in half pads.

Here’s everything that we saw of note from this portion of practice:

Notes and Observations

• The offensive line was front and center for most of the viewing period. The first group in the sled drill was Cayden Green, Tristan Wilson, Dominick Giudice, Curtis Peagler and Luke Work. Left guard seems to be the last starting spot in question, with the battle being between Zach Owens and Wilson.
• The offensive line also ran a technique drill in which players paired up and worked on gaining inside leverage. Here were the pairings: Giudice and Wilson, Owens and Peagler, Jack Lange and Whit Hafer, Ryan Jostes and Green, Colin Sorensen and Khalief Canty Jr., Logan Reichert and Work. Pairings seemed to coincide with position.
• Here’s a list of the players who returned kicks: Caleb Goodie, Damarion Fowlkes, Jamal Roberts, Preston Hatfield, Xai’Shaun Edwards, and Deyvon Hill-Lomax. Punts: Naeshaun Montgomery, Donovan Olugbode, Cayden Lee, Roberts and Fowlkes.
• In other special teams news, Blake Craig went 2-for-3, Brunno Reus went 1-for-2 and Oliver Robbins went 0-for-1. All of the kicks were in the 30-to-40-yard range.
• NFL scouts from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants were in attendance. Steelers and Dolphins scouts have been at previous practices, but this was the first sighting of the Giants. Cam Newton was also at the practice. He has a strong relationship with Cayden Lee.
• In the quarterback drills, there were three stations. Austin Simmons and Matt Zollers took reps together, while Nick Evers and Gavin Sidwar were together and Brett Brown was alone in his group.

• Jamal Roberts was featured in some receiving drills alongside wideouts. It seems like he could take the bulk of the receiving work out of the backfield.
• From the secondary: Chris Graves Jr. was praised on Eli Drinkwitz’s hot mic multiple times. Santana Banner and Trajen Greco took first reps in most safety drills.

The team has come a long way since the first day of fall camp. While most starting positions are not confirmed, rotations are beginning to become clear. There are only a few practices left until Drinkwitz will name the team’s starters for the 2026 season.