Arch Authority
Fansided

Missouri Tigers Countdown: 57 Days Until Alec Abeln

By Patrick Karraker

Sep 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; A general view of parking lot and the stadium before the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; A general view of parking lot and the stadium before the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
twitterfacebookreddit

There’s only 57 days left until the Missouri Tigers kick off their 2016 season against West Virginia, so today we honor number 57 for the Tigers, offensive lineman Alec Abeln.

Mizzou lost four of their five regular starting offensive linemen following the 2015 season, and the status of the fifth, guard/tackle Nate Crawford, is somewhat up in the air as he recovers from back surgery. With this in mind, redshirt junior Alec Abeln could the the player who’s most important to the Missouri line’s success during the 2016 season.

Behind Crawford, Abeln is Mizzou’s most experienced lineman, having started three games while playing in another six in 2015. Abeln, a natural center, saw action both at left guard and as a backup for Evan Boehm at center last year, and it’s likely that he’ll take over for Boehm full-time this year. Things could change if the coaching staff decides to move him over to replace Crawford at left guard, which would allow them to plug in highly-thought-of walk-on Samson Bailey or former top recruit AJ Harris, but it would seem logical to have Abeln making the line calls considering his intellect and relative experience.

Next: Five Freshmen Who Could See Action for Mizzou in 2016

Abeln, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder, is one of many St. Louis natives on the Tigers’ roster, having attended Saint Louis University High School. Abeln’s mom performed as Truman the Tiger while attending Mizzou in the 1980s, so it’s understandable if he had a little bit of extra motivation to become a Tiger four years ago.

Home/Missouri Tigers