RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Missouri football released its official depth chart for its season-opening game. The Tigers are less than a week away from beginning their new season, with kickoff against Arkansas-Pine Bluff set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, in Columbia.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s team will be a heavy favorite against the FCS-level Golden Lions. More players than those who were listed on the depth chart will likely see the field in the opener.
It is, however, a good indicator of who is expected to take the most snaps for Missouri as the 2026 season progresses.
More: Predictions for Missouri football in 2026, from total wins to Austin Simmons
More: How can Missouri football maximize potential in 2026? Answer these questions
Here is who is listed as the starters and backups for Mizzou in Week 1:
All transfers are marked with an asterisk (*).
We have listed each player’s eligibility in accordance with the NCAA’s recommendation for new eligibility criteria, which eliminates redshirts: freshmen; sophomores, juniors, seniors and fifth-years.
Quarterback
Starter: * Austin Simmons, sr.
Backup: Matt Zollers, so.
No shockers here. Simmons was named the starter coming out spring camp, and Zollers has taken every No. 2 rep in fall camp.
Running back
Starter: Jamal Roberts, sr.
Backups: *Malae Fonoti, jr.; OR *Xai’Shaun Edwards, jr.
No Ahmad Hardy on the depth chart, as the star running back will miss Mizzou’s Week 1 game as he continues to recover from an offseason gunshot wound to his femur.
Wide receiver
Starters: Slot: *Cayden Lee, sr. X: *Naeshaun Montgomery, so.; OR *Caleb Goodie, sr. Z: Donovan Olugbode, so.
Primary rotation: Slot: Shaun Terry II, so; X: *Kenric Lanier II, sr.; Z: DaMarion Fowlkes, so.
Montgomery, a Florida transfer, is one of the more intriguing names on the depth chart. He has worked his way into starting contention alongside Goodie, a speedy transfer from Cincinnati.
Tight end
Starter: Brett Norfleet, sr.; OR Jordon Harris, sr.
Backup: Jude James, jr.
All three tight ends listed will see significant time this season. The Tigers are likely to roll out some 12 personnel, which includes multiple tight ends on the field.
Offensive line
Starters: Left tackle: Cayden Green, sr.; Left guard: Tristan Wilson, 5th.; Center: Dominick Giudice, 5th; Right guard: Curtis Peagler, 5th.; Right tackle: *Luke Work, jr.
Backups: LT: Jack Lange, so. LG: *Zach Owens, sr. C: * Colin Sorensen, jr.; RG: Khalief Canty Jr., fr.; RT: Whit Hafer, jr.
Green will miss Mizzou’s season-opening game, Drinkwitz said Saturday. Lange and Hafer, who had impressive camps, are both likely to see some time in the opener, with Lange the probable starter.
The most notable omission is Logan Reichert, who was a contender for Mizzou’s starting right tackle job at the start of camp.
More: All-American Missouri football offensive lineman to miss opening game
Defensive ends
Starters: JACK: Darris Smith, 5th; Field: Langden Kitchen, sr.
Primary rotation: JACK: *Malik Bryant, sr.; Field: Daeden Hopkins, so.
Bryant was in no-contact attire for the start of fall camp but appears to have worked his way into a rotational role.
No Jaden Jones, a Florida State transfer, is somewhat surprising, but we still expect him to see some action early this season.
Defensive tackles
Starters: DT: Marquis Gracial, 5th.; Nose: Jalen Marshall, 5th
Primary rotation: DT: Sterling Webb, 5th; Nose: Jason Dowell, so.
As expected on the interior, Gracial and Marshall are the starters.
Dowell, a young player who has had one of the biggest offseason rises on the MU roster, and Webb, back this year via a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, will see plenty of playing time.
Linebackers
Starters: Middle: *Robert Woodyard Jr., sr.; Weakside: Nicholas Rodriguez, jr.
Primary rotation: M: Jeremiah Beasley, jr.; OR Brian Huff, jr.; W: Dante McClellan, so.
As expected at the second level. This is seemingly one of Mizzou’s strongest rooms coming out of fall camp.
Cornerbacks
Starters: *Chris Graves Jr., 5th; *Sione Laulea, sr. OR *Jahlil Florence, 5th.
Rotation/backups: Nick DeLoach, sr.; Cameron Keys, jr.
Florence is listed as an ‘OR’ after both Graves and Laulea. You should take that to mean that the Tigers will roll out those three players in a regular rotation.
Safeties
Starters: Free: Trajen Greco, jr. Rover: Santana Banner, sr. Star: *Elijah Dotson, so.; OR *Kensley Louidor-Faustin, jr.;
Primary rotation: Free: * JaDon Blair, so.; OR Jackson Hancock, jr.; Rover: Jayden McGregory, fr.; Star: CJ Bass III, so.
Greco and Banner are going to play a lot of snaps this season after a pick-happy fall camp. Dotson and Louidor-Faustin will cycle in and out at the versatile STAR spot.
McGregory is one just two true freshmen — joining Canty at right guard on the offense — listed on the Week 1 depth chart.
Special teams
Placekicker: Starter: Blake Craig, sr.; Backup: *Brunno Reus, so.
Punter: Starter: *Brunno Reus, so.; Backup: John Butcher, sr.
Long-snapper: Starter: Brett Le Blanc, sr.; Backups: Henry Crosby, so.
Punt return: DaMarion Fowlkes, so.; Cayden Lee, sr.
Kick return: DaMarion Fowlkes, so.; Naeshaun Montgomery, so. OR Chris Graves Jr., 5th.
Fowlkes appears to have locked down the primary job as both Mizzou’s punt and kickoff return man.
Reus, who is Craig’s holder for field goals, will be the Tigers’ punter and take kickoffs.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football releases depth chart for Week 1 game of 2026 season
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.