It’s speculating season.

Missouri football held its 10th practice of fall camp on Friday, when the countdown to the 2024 season moved to just 20 days. Local media was invited to observe the opening eight periods — each lasting approximately five minutes — of practice.

Most drills send the Tigers’ position groups off to their own corner of the MATC practice fields in Columbia to do their own fundamental work and individual drills with assistant coaches. But, about midway through Friday’s practice, the Tigers congregated for a pair of drives that appeared to offer a hint as to who is running with the first- and second-team units.

Most of the players lined up as expected, but there were a couple inclusions that may be worth monitoring as camp progresses.

All of these should be consumed with a grain of salt. The observations come from one drive, on one particular package, with limited knowledge of injuries or scheme or anything else that could dictate lineups. At most, fans should take this as a clue for who is in the running for in-season reps rather than a set-in-stone depth chart.

Here’s how the Tigers lined up, and how much weight that might hold by the time real games roll around:

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Here’s how Missouri football’s offense lined up during Friday drill

Let’s get the obvious ones out the way: Brady Cook was the first-team quarterback. Luther Burden III was the slot receiver, and was joined by Mookie Cooper and junior Mekhi Miller as the wideouts.

One of the more noteworthy first-team inclusions came at left tackle, where the Tigers ran with SMU transfer Marcus Bryant, who has been involved in an active competition with Jayven Richardson in camp. There were no surprises along the rest of the line, as left guard Cayden Green, center Connor Tollison, right guard Cam’Ron Johnson and right tackle Armand Membou slotted into their expected roles.

Also of note: Running back Nate Noel took the first-team reps ahead of Marcus Carroll. The coaching staff have indicated that they are not opposed to running with one primary running back or with both players splitting reps. Noel appeared to get the first nod, although that could very well be situational.

The starting tight end was senior Tyler Stephens, as expected starter Brett Norfleet was absent from the observable portion of practice for the third straight day.

Now for the second team:

Drew Pyne, as expected, quarterbacked the 2s. In front of him, from left tackle to right tackle, were Richardson, Curtis Peagler, Drake Heismeyer, Logan Reichert and Mitchell Walters.

Redshirt freshman Jamal Roberts was a somewhat surprising inclusion at running back, and freshman Jude James lined up at tight end. The wide receivers were Daniel Blood, Joshua Manning and Logan Muckey.

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Missouri football defense

The defensive line was as expected: Johnny Walker Jr. and Michigan State transfer Zion Young manned the edges, while Kristian Williams and Florida transfer Chris McClellan took the tackle spots.

Behind them, Chuck Hicks and South Alabama newcomer Khalil Jacobs were the first-string linebackers. Also as best guesses presumed: Joseph Charleston and Marvin Burks Jr. were the free- and strong-safeties, respectively, and Daylan Carnell was the starting star safety.

The most surprising inclusion came at corner, where iron-clad starter Dreyden Norwood was joined in the secondary by redshirt freshman Nicholas DeLoach. Clemson transfer Toriano Pride ran with the 2s during this drill, partnering with Marcus Clarke.

Also on the second-team defense were Joe Moore III and Jakhai Lang at defensive end; Marquis Gracial and New Mexico State transfer Sterling Webb at defensive tackle; Brayshawn Littlejohn and Miami transfer Corey Flagg at linebacker; and Tre’Vez Johnson, Sidney Williams Sr. and preferred walk-on transfer Caleb Flagg at safety.

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Notable exclusions and likely changes

When an official depth chart comes out, fans will — barring anything unexpected — see Theo Wease Jr. as a starter at wide receiver. Sophomore Marquis Johnson, who was held out of Thursday’s observable portion of practice but returned Friday, will almost certainly be among the team’s top-six receivers by the end of the season.

Norfleet will in all likelihood be the team’s starting tight end, and it would be a major surprise if Carroll isn’t, at minimum, the second-string tailback.

All prior indications from camp suggest Triston Newson is a starter or key reserve at linebacker, but did not appear to be in attendance at practice Friday.

In the two clearest examples of defensive depth so far, Georgia transfer defensive end Darris Smith has not run with either the first- or second-team. Fans should expect, based on comments from teammates and coaches, that to change by the time the season rolls around.

Pride is still likely to get the starting nod at cornerback, but the inclusion of DeLoach is likely an encouraging sign for the team’s depth at the position.

James was the lone true freshman in the lineup on either offense or defense. Five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri has been working with the presumed third-team in camp.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football’s Friday practice offers potential depth chart clues