COLUMBIA, Mo- As upperclassmen Terez Hall, Brandon Lee, and Cale Garrett look to lead the charge for the Mizzou linebackers this season,

Garrett and Hall are expected to be the anchors of the linebacker core as they are both coming off successful 2017 seasons in which Garrett led the team with 105 totals stops while Hall was second on the team with 85 tackles.

"Coach Hargreaves keeps telling us that no matter where we're at, he's going to take us to a place that we've never been," junior linebacker Cale Garrett said regarding the linebacker group. "With us its not about just doing your job, its how well you can do your job."

Graduate linebacker Brandon Lee will also contribute and is expected to be a leader throughout the season, all while be pursuing a Master's degree during the season.

"It'll be tough but at the same they're both of equal importance to me," said Lee when asked about balancing football and school during the season. "I value my academics and it's bigger than athletics for me. I'm trying to get my MBA and it will be challenging but I'll get it done."

Sophomores Jamal Brooks and Aubrey Miller, senior Tavon Ross and junior Ronnell Perkins should also figure into the mix at the linebacker spot. 

While those returners will anchor a talented group, keep an eye out for freshman Nick Bolton. Outside linebacker coach Brian Odom spoke very highly of Bolton following Wednesday's practice.

"His mindset and how he approaches every day in practice is as good as anybody we have on our team and that's saying a lot from a kid that's just out of high school," coach Brian Odom said. "He is as advertised."

Bolton primarily played middle linebacker in his Texas high school days but will be expected to contribute at outside linebacker for this upcoming season.

Hall has also taken notice of Bolton's contributions in camp up to this point.

"Nick's real good. He's got a high IQ, he can easily step and play," said Hall. "He's going to be a great player, even this year he should be a great player so there's just high expectations for someone like him."

"I've just been doing my job to the best of my abilities," Bolton said when asked about his impressive showings thus far in camp. "I don't try and do anything else other than what I'm instructed to do each play. I just lock into my keys and do my job every play."

Stay tuned to #MIZCAMP18 by following Mizzou Football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouFootball. Tickets are available for the season by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS locally) or visiting MUTigers.com/FBTix.