5 Missouri football players who are All-SEC candidates on offense in 2025 season
Missouri football is less than a month away from reporting for preseason camp. The Tigers, in recent seasons, have reported to campus in Columbia on the final weekend of July.
Advertisement
Most national outlets will begin rolling out some preseason accolades and predictions over the upcoming days and weeks. Talking season will be in full swing in the middle of the month, with MU head coach Eli Drinkwitz set to appear at SEC Media Days on July 17 in Atlanta.
While it's popular, here are five Missouri football players on the offensive side of the ball who we think have the best chance to have All-SEC-caliber seasons:
Cayden Green, left guard
Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) is lifted by offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) after scoring against the Buffalo Bulls during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
We're not alone in tipping the left guard for a big year.
Phil Steele's magazine rates him as both a preseason All-SEC and All-American. Green was picked as a preseason second- and third-team All-American by Walter Camp and Athlon Sports, respectively.
Advertisement
There's seemingly the potential that the Tigers could send offensive linemen to the NFL as first-round picks in back-to-back years, as Green is tipped by some to have Day 1 potential in 2026.
Green, listed a 6 feet 5, 324 pounds, looked more and more comfortable in the Mizzou offense as last season progressed — his sophomore campaign after transferring to the Tigers from Oklahoma.
If he can continue to take strides in his development, the Lee's Summit, Missouri, product shapes up as one of the most talented players on the MU roster this season.
Ahmad Hardy, running back
More: Can Ahmad Hardy be Missouri football's next star running back? Early signs encouraging
Advertisement
The ULM transfer running back was one of three Mizzou players named to Phil Steele's preseason All-SEC second team, and there's every reason to believe Hardy could be the Tigers' next great tailback.
Hardy rushed for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie, earning him freshman All-American honors from the FWAA and On3.
He picked up 1,012 of those yards after contact last season. For context, that means his YAC total alone would have ranked among the top 50 in the FBS and fourth in the SEC.
Hardy has experience running outside zone from ULM — a staple of an Eli Drinkwitz offense.
Jamal Roberts and freshman Marquise Davis are likely to pick up some reps, but the bulk of the work looks to be headed Hardy's way.
Advertisement
The recipe is there for a big season.
Kevin Coleman Jr., wide receiver
More: How new Missouri football wide receiver Kevin Coleman is earning trust, filling big number
Coleman also picked up second-team All-SEC honors from Phil Steele — a good sign as he fills the shoes of an important Mizzou player for the past few seasons.
The senior transfer will replace fellow St. Louis product Luther Burden III as Mizzou's slot receiver, which indicates he'll be the top passing option for whoever, between Beau Pribula and Sam Horn, wins the Tigers' starting quarterback job.
Coleman transferred to Mizzou from Mississippi State, where he earned third-team All-SEC honors on an otherwise woebegone Bulldogs offense. He caught 74 passes for 932 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Advertisement
He has a bunch of experience in college football, between other one-season stints at Jackson State, where he was the SWAC Freshman of the Year under Deion Sanders, and Louisville. With 132 career receptions and more than 1,700 receiving yards, he should be an experienced head in an otherwise young receiving room.
Connor Tollison, center
Oct 12, 2024; Amherst, Massachusetts, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Connor Tollison (55) snaps the ball during the first half against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Tollison is another Mizzou offensive lineman likely to earn some NFL buzz heading into the 2026 draft. He is listed as a preseason fourth-team All-SEC selection by Phil Steele.
Few centers in college football have more experience: Tollison has amassed 2,356 career snaps, per a team news release, and has been MU's starting center since the beginning of the 2022 campaign.
Advertisement
The big question facing Tollison is health-related, as he sustained a season-ending knee injury after MU's win over Oklahoma in November, and he underwent successful surgery late last year. All current expectations are that the Jackson, Missouri, native will return in time to start the 2025 season.
Brett Norfleet, tight end
Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers tight end Brett Norfleet (87) leaps over a Florida Gators defender during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Norfleet's name is flying a little under the radar this offseason, perhaps because of some comparatively underwhelming numbers while he battled injuries as a sophomore in 2024.
But, make no mistake: If Norfleet is fully healthy after offseason surgery, he has sky-high potential.
Advertisement
The O'Fallon, Missouri, native who played at Francis Howell High is listed at 6 feet 6, 263 pounds. Pair that with some elite athleticism — we've all seen those post-catch hurdles — and you have a player who could emerge as a premier pass-catching option.
The Tigers have to find a way to get him more involved in the offense for this prediction to play out, but the tools are certainly there.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 5 Missouri football players who have All-SEC potential on offense
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Iowa high school football: Top 4A quarterbacks
Iowa high school football: Top 4A quarterbacks originally appeared on The Sporting News The Iowa high school football season is set to start later this month, so as a way to get you ready, we are looking at some of the top players in the state. MORE: Top Iowa high school football Class 5A quarterbacks These are some of the top quarterbacks set to compete in Class 4A in Iowa high school football in 2025. Players are listed in alphabetical order: TOP IOWA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CLASS 4A QUARTERBACKS Jude Baumgardner, Boone, Senior Baumgardner averaged over 17 yards per completion last year, finishing with 1,327 yards in the air and 15 touchdowns, rushing for 205 with seven scores. Asher Brueck, Indianola, Senior Brueck was effective, completing 61 percent of his passes while recording 1,326 yards and 11 touchdowns in the air. On the ground, he piled up 140 yards and three scores. Jameer Falls, Mason City, Junior Falls showed off his abilities as a 10th-grader, throwing 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He completed 61 percent and had 1,599 yards. Jayden Fujii, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, Senior If he can cut down the interceptions, Fujii could have a big senior year. Even with 16 picks a season ago, he had almost 1,500 yards and 10 scores, adding 213 yards with his legs. James Hatlevig, Norwalk, Senior Norwalk relied on Hatlevig to move the offense, which is what he did, throwing for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns with just six interceptions among his 222 attempts. Caden Klein, Newton, Senior More of a runner than a passer, Newton had 1,126 yards and 14 touchdowns with his legs, adding 1,445 yards in the air and eight more scores. Tru McBride, Fort Dodge, Junior Coming into his own, McBride took over the Dodger offense and delivered. He had 1,518 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 58 percent with a quarterback rating of 144.7. Cash Parks, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Junior The Saints have all the pieces, and Parks will try to take that next step after throwing for over 1,100 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also found the end zone five times on the ground with nearly 200 yards. Conlan Poynton, Clear Creek-Amana, Senior The Clippers will try to take that next step, and if they do, Poynton will be a big reason why. He had over 1,200 yards passing and 12 TDs a year ago. Hudson Shull, ADM, Senior Shull was big when the Tigers needed it, recording 1,363 yards with 13 touchdowns. With his legs, he rushed for 1,168 yards - which ranked sixth in the class - and 18 scores - which was tied for third most. Jami Sitzmann, Le Mars, Senior Sitzmann piled up 19 touchdowns in the air, throwing for 1,331 yards while completing 67 percent of his passes. He added another 306 yards on the ground. MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS: Iowa high school conference adding perennial power in future After three years, Alleman will field a varsity football program Central High School will not compete at varsity level this year
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ESPN NFL Analyst Taking Heat For Joke About Jesus' Resurrection
ESPN NFL Analyst Taking Heat For Joke About Jesus' Resurrection originally appeared on The Spun. ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark can be pretty polarizing at times. But a recent joke he made about Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco seems to have been over the line for some fans. During a recent segment on ESPN, Clark spoke about the Browns' recent decision to name Flacco the starter for the 2025 NFL season. Clark started gushing about how Flacco has managed to continuously get work in the NFL despite having semi-retired several years ago. He then declared that Flacco's return to the NFL is "the greatest resurrection since Jesus Christ," which as you might imagine didn't sit well with some. "I'm gonna tell you what, man," Clark said. "Joe Flacco must have the faith of a mustard seed, right? Because this is the greatest resurrection since Jesus the Christ. Like, at some point, Joe Flacco was thinking about getting into TV, right? Joe Flacco didn't have a job. And then, now, you not only coming back and starting for the Cleveland Browns late in the 2023 season, but they came back around to you and you're now the day one starter for a franchise that just two years ago was in the playoffs." The reaction has been pretty nasty Fans were already pretty exhausted of Clark's hyperbolic analysis and were even less amused when he decided to compare an NFL quarterback to the legendary Christian figure. So after seeing that quote on their social media feeds, fans quickly made it clear how much they absolutely despised Clark: "Ryan Clark is literally the worst sports commentator of all time," one user said bluntly. "I think im honestly fine with never seeing Ryan Clark again," wrote another. "Ryan Clark is exactly why ESPN has been unwatchable for years. The dude is absolutely terrible," a third remarked. "Ryan Clark says he's a Christian and says something like that. Seriously. Comparing a guy who was pretty much named the starter before the pre season ever started is hardly a surprise. Ryan Clark is a terrible Stephen A Smith Wanabe." "Ryan Clark does not understand the parable of a mustard seed." "Does this show have a contest every day for who can say the dumbest (expletive) possible. Think so." Nothing new Ryan Clark has made a habit out of saying something ridiculous and then making it something about himself or his own beliefs. Perhaps the biggest example was his recent beef with Robert Griffin III, which is an entirely different can of worms not worth opening today. Suffice it to say, Clark's gift of gab may be wildly entertaining to the ESPN cast and crew, but it has a very different reaction from the audience they're trying to appeal to. ESPN NFL Analyst Taking Heat For Joke About Jesus' Resurrection first appeared on The Spun on Aug 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gurriel and McCarthy lead Diamondbacks to 6-5 win over Guardians
PHOENIX (AP) — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in three runs, Jake McCarthy hit a solo homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 on Tuesday night. McCarthy finished with two hits and Corbin Carroll tripled twice, his fourth game this season with two triples. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. Juan Burgos (1-0) got one out to earn his first major league win. The 25-year-old rookie entered with two outs and a runner on first in the seventh, gave up a double to Angel Martínez and intentionally walked José Ramírez before pinch-hitter Kyle Manzardo grounded out to end the inning. Andrew Saalfrank pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save. McCarthy's homer opened the scoring in the third. Carroll tripled and scored on a groundout by Gurriel in the fourth. Carlos Santana singled to drive in José Ramírez and then scored on a single by Nolan Jones in the Cleveland fourth. Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the fifth. Tim Herrin (4-3) gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss. Key moment Geraldo Perdomo hit a one-out single and stole second base before Ketel Marte was intentionally walked in the seventh. Carroll reached and Perdomo moved to third on a forceout, and Nic Enright replaced Herrin. Carroll stole second and Gurriel singled to make it 6-4. Key stat Carroll leads MLB with a career-high 16 triples and is the first player with at least 16 in one season since José Reyes and Shane Victorino both had 16 in 2011. Up next Arizona's Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.08 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series. The Guardians had not announced their starter. ___ AP MLB:
