2024 SEC Media Days Spotlight: The Missouri Tigers

The man to wrap up the second day of the 2024 SEC Media Days was Missouri Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz. As the reigning Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, Drinkwitz has posted a 28-21 record with the Tigers and has led Mizzou to three consecutive bowl games.

Monte Kiffin and Mike Leach

In his opening remarks, Drinkwitz expressed his condolences to the Kiffin family and paid respects to the late Monte Kiffin, Lane’s father, who passed away at 84.

In addition, Drinkwitz verbalized his support for the late Mike Leach to be placed on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, saying that Leach impacted the game of college football more in the last 50 years than any other person. Although Leach is one win short of the number of wins needed for consideration, many believe an exception should be made.

Last Year Is Last Year

After a successful 2023 season that saw Mizzou win 11 games and beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, the Tigers sent more players to the NFL Combine than at any other time in program history, tied for the most players drafted into the NFL, and posted the second-highest graduation rate in the SEC.

Coach Drinkwitz mentioned that last year’s success and accolades are in the rear-view mirror. The question for him and his team in 2024 is this: How do they continue to grow and improve? The answer is multi-faceted:

• They must get better at the line of scrimmage. To that end, Drinkwitz recruited OL Caden Green from Oklahoma and Marcus Bryant from SMU out of the transfer portal.

• The running game took a hit with the departure of RB Cody Schrader to the NFL. Marcus Carroll (Georgia State) and Nate Noel (Appalachian State) are talented transfers who will help offset the loss. Drinkwitz said you do not just replace Schrader as a player, but you must replace the consistency, the preparation and the commitment that Schrader exuded every day.

• To get better on defense, the Tigers must get rid of the explosive plays allowed and must get better on third down if they are to live up to the moniker Death Row Defense.

Drinkwitz said that the Tigers must form a cohesive unit among the players, considering that 43 players are new additions to the roster in 2024. In addition, they need to establish toughness and the right mindset in how they prepare each day leading up to game day on Saturdays.

Missouri Tigers Are Loaded on Offense

Mizzou is blessed to have 68 percent of their overall production from a season ago return, including nine starters on offense. That production is led by QB Brady Cook and WR Luther Burden III, who accompanied Drinkwitz to the 2024 SEC Media Days. Cook is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and Burden is a second-team Walter Camp Preseason All-American.

According to Drinkwitz, the Tigers must continue to develop and maintain the standards created over his four-year tenure and compete hard every day if they are to have a successful 2024 season.