5 New Starters Who Will Provide Intrigue for the Missouri Tigers

Alex Ross

In a turn of events that could have been predicted by most once it was announced that he’d be transferring from Oklahoma to Mizzou for the 2016, Alex Ross was named the Tigers’ starting running back for Week 1, passing up incumbent Ish Witter on the depth chart. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder should bring a “power back” running style that the Tigers haven’t had in their backfield for a long while, and his speed could enable him to be a lethal weapon if things come together correctly.

As part of a timeshare at Oklahoma–one that increasingly left him on the outside looking in as Samaje Perine established himself–Ross had 88 carries for 595 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, then had 32 carries for 174 yards and a single score last year. He’s got the potential to be a dynamic returner as well; he had two kick return touchdowns for the Sooners in 2014, and he’s listed as the Tigers’ top kick returner for this weekend. Overall, things can’t get much worse than they were last year with Witter trying to fight for yards behind a depleted offensive line, so hopefully Ross will present an upgrade in the backfield.

Next: Johnathon Johnson