Two weeks down in fall camp, one to go in CoMo.
Missouri football has wrapped up its second week of fall camp, holding its first scrimmage of the preseason Saturday. The Tigers are less than three weeks away from opening their season against UAPB on Sept. 3 in Columbia.
Just one week of fall camp remains before the team moves into gameweek preparation for their opener.
Seventh-year Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke to the media immediately after the behind-closed-doors scrimmage, where he said several experienced players were held out to allow for opportunities further down the depth chart.
The head coached gave updates on Ahmad Hardy and Cayden Green, and also indicated that a couple of key camp competitions have been settled.
Here are the notes to know from Drinkwitz’s press conference Saturday, wrapping up Mizzou’s second week of fall camp:
No Ahmad Hardy injury update from Drinkwitz
At the start of camp, Drinkwitz said that he would have an update in two weeks on star running back Ahmad Hardy, who continues to rehab from an offseason gunshot wound that hit his femur. Saturday marked two weeks since those comments, but Drinkwitz said Saturday that he “misspoke” when he gave that timeline.
“He's still continuing to do rehab," Drinkwitz said. "Nothing really to note. … It was really a five-week block. The 22nd (of August), that will be the first five weeks where we'll sit down with the doctors and evaluate where he's at.”
Added Drinkwitz: “He still is able to get in the walkthrough stuff. He's progressing in the weight room and his speed training.”
That means that the Tigers will wait another week before figuring out exactly where Hardy’s is at in his rehab.
At SEC Media Days, Drinkwitz placed a tentative 5-8 week timeline on a possible return-to-play protocol for Hardy. Aug. 22 will be almost exactly the five-week mark from Drinkwitz’s remarks in Tampa, Florida.
Hardy has been spotted at camp in the portions of practice open to the media, but only as a non-participant and never in uniform. Jamal Roberts, Xai’Shaun Edwards and Malae Fonoti each have taken reps with quarterback Austin Simmons in camp.
Why was Cayden Green absent Friday? Drinkwitz says holdout
Starting Mizzou left tackle Cayden Green was not present during the portion of Friday’s practice that was open to the media. It appears that he also was among the group of veteran players held out of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Drinkwitz said Green merely was “held out” of practice.
“Nothing really to talk about there,” the coach said. “He’s a guy that’s played a ton of football.”
With Green away, sophomore Jack Lange — the No. 1 recruit in Missouri in the Class of 2025 — has seemingly taken the backup reps. Drinkwitz said the team is now looking to find a third offensive tackle for the season.
“The only way that you can get the reps you need to see is if you pull somebody. … It’s really about developing the other part of our roster, so that’s all it is with Cayden (Green).”
Competitions along the OL appear to be settled
Unless there are any late camp surprises, Mizzou appears to have its starting five along the offensive line settled. That means the competitions at left guard and right tackle may be over.
Tristan Wilson looks like he will be the Tigers’ starting left guard, slotting in between Dominick Giudice at center and Green at left tackle. Wilson, a fifth-year prospect out of Lebanon, Missouri, who is listed at 6 foot 4 and 315 pounds, primarily was competing with Mississippi State transfer Zack Owens for that job.
“Tristan has developed himself into a starter in the SEC,” Drinkwitz said, “and really one of our most versatile players. … Just impressed with his commitment. He’s got a great routine. That group works really hard. They’re in here every day at 6 (a.m.) working on their bodies, working on their stretching, and he’s a guy that’s always putting in extra.
Another Mississippi State transfer, Luke Work, looks to have won the battle at right tackle. He has taken just about every first-team rep available in camp, and Drinkwitz indicated Saturday that he is ahead of Logan Reichert for the role of Simmons’ blindside blocker.
“I think we feel pretty comfortable with (Work at right tackle) right now. That doesn’t mean that somebody couldn’t make a jump and force us to reevaluate it, but right now I feel pretty good that Cayden and Luke are our starters, and we’ve got to figure out who’s our third tackle between Jack (Lange) and Logan (Reichert) and even Whit Hafer.”
Who will form the corner rotation?
Mizzou has rotated its corners a lot throughout camp. At least six players have taken reps with either the first- or second-team defense.
Chris Graves Jr., as expected, has secured a starting job. The Ole Miss transfer has played a lot of college football. There’s a very good chance that he takes the most snaps of any player on MU’s defense this season.
“He’s probably got the best grasp of what we’re trying to do on one side,” Drinkwitz said.
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The other starting role is a little bit more open. Oregon transfers Jahlil Florence and Sione Laulea, returners Cam Keys and Nick DeLoach Jr. and freshman Jaxson Gates all have been competing.
Best guesses at this stage in camp suggest it’s the former Ducks who will be in the rotation.
“Sione and Jahlil have been exactly what we’d hoped,” Drinkwitz said.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What Eli Drinkwitz said about Ahmad Hardy, Cayden Green, key competitions