Which 5 Missouri Tigers 2015 Recruits have the Best Chance to Contribute Right Away?
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
1. Terry Beckner, Jr., DT
Mizzou already has a pretty imposing defensive tackle duo in place with Harold Brantley and Josh Augusta returning. Defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski likes to rotate his players, though, and he usually finds enough playing time to go around so that four defensive tackles can make significant contributions. With that in mind, Beckner Jr. should be a major rotational player, even if he doesn’t immediately supplant Augusta on the depth chart.
It should be interesting to see if there are any role adjustments that need to be made in order to accommodate everyone on Mizzou’s defensive interior. While Augusta is more of a traditional nose tackle, Brantley is an explosive three-technique who had 54 tackles and five sacks during 2014. That’s the same role that Beckner, who had 117 tackles and four sacks as a high school senior, projects to play long-term.
It’s unlikely that Brantley, who may project as a first-rounder in next year’s NFL Draft, will see his role significantly reduced, so Kuligowski will have to find some creative ways to utilize his top three defensive tackles.