Though most expect a drop-off from the Missouri Tigers in 2025 after back-to-back seasons with 10+ wins, CBS Sports' Brad Crawford considers Missouri as one of the six rosters that improved the most through the offseason.
"Replacing multi-year starters Brady Cook (quarterback) and Luther Burden III (wideout) would make most coaches lose sleep, especially in the SEC, but Eli Drinkwitz is confident in his portal assessments," Crawford writes.
Drinkwitz said in March that the 2025 roster is the most talented he's had yet in his six years at Missouri.
The Tigers replaced the starters at quarterback and wide receiver with transfers Beau Pribula and Kevin Coleman Jr. respectively. Neither will be direct replacements for their predecessors.
However, Pribula being an upgrade over Missouri's quarterback situation from last year is feasible, after Cook's 2024 season was riddled with injuries and inconsistency.
Missouri also arguably upgraded at the edge rusher position, adding the top-ranked player at the position in Damon Wilson II, who transferred over from Georgia. The Tigers did lose two-year starter Johnny Walker Jr. to the NFL, and former five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri did transfer to Nebraska. But, Wilson paired with returning starter Zion Young could create for an elite duo off the edge.
In addition to Missouri, Crawford listed the following schools on his list of the most-improved rosters; LSU, Miami, Texas Tech, Florida State and Oklahoma.
Landmark House Settlement Approval is Only the Beginning
After a great conversation with @CoachDrinkwitz, I’m extremely blessed and excited to announce a scholarship offer from the University of Missouri!@CoachJonesB @JAbercrombie51 @Journeymanball @BIGboehmTHEORY @MizzouFootball #MIZ pic.twitter.com/eYGCjzWRqL
— Braylon Ellison (@braylonellison) June 7, 2025
it all comes down to this.
— B2B2B CHAMPION STALLIONS (@USFLStallions) June 7, 2025
usfl conference championship
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sunday at 2 PM CT on ABC
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81 days.
"Losing! Nobody likes to lose. I've been in this business a long time but we will get back. We need to do a better job coaching. I mean we lost all three of our timeouts in the third quarter. Are you kidding me? And that's on me.”Gary Pinkel after a loss at Nebraska
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