2 key Missouri football defensive players reportedly out, possibly offering reps to 5-star rookie
Missouri football fans might be about to see a lot more of their five-star freshman.
‘Voice of the Tigers’ Mike Kelly of Tiger Radio Network reported that linebacker Triston Newson and defensive end Joe Moore III will miss Mizzou’s game against UMass on Saturday in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Playing in the place of Moore, who is part of a four-man rotation of edge rushers for MU, might well be Williams Nwaneri. He was the Tigers’ top recruit in the Class of 2024.
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Nwaneri was the top-ranked defensive line prospect in his class, staying in-state as a product out of Lee’s Summit North High in Kansas City. His reps since arriving on campus this summer have been sparing, as he took the field late in the Tigers’ season-opening game against Murray State. He hasn’t played since.
UPDATE: Mike Kelly reports on the Buckle Up Phone Down Tiger Tailgate that DL Joe Moore and LB Triston Newson are out today, and freshman DL Williams Nwaneri is expected to play.
— Mizzou Radio (@MizzouRadio) October 12, 2024
Johnny Walker Jr. and Zion Young likely will remain as the Tigers’ starting defensive ends for the game against the Minutemen. Mizzou has rotated those two in and out with Eddie Kelly and Moore, who has five QB hurries and a fumble recovery this season. Jakhai Lang will be another option to fill in for the lost reps at defensive end.
At linebacker, the Tigers also tend to rotate snaps evenly between four players: Corey Flagg Jr.; Chuck Hicks; Khalil Jacobs; and Newson.
With Newson out, Mizzou likely will turn to redshirt freshman Brayshawn Littlejohn to plug the lost reps. Littlejohn has appeared in all five of MU’s games to begin the season, mostly as a member of special teams units.
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The Tigers’ other primary options at the position are all true freshmen, with Jeremiah Beasley, Nicholas Rodriguez and Brian Huff on the roster and available.
Newson has 18 tackles on the season, which ranks tied for fourth among Missouri players. He typically starts alongside Hicks.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football injury update: 5-star defensive end Nwaneri could play
