Damarea CrockettDamarea Crockett
Football

Mizzou's Damarea Crockett Returns in 2018 as Part of Dynamic Backfield

Mizzou junior RB Damarea Crockett is back and fully healthy in 2018 after suffering a shoulder injury in week six last year at Georgia. That injury forced the 1,000-yard rusher to miss the final seven games last year, despite him being on pace for his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He spent the final seven games recovering from his injury while getting stronger and focusing on improving his all-around game.

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COLUMBIA, Mo- Last season, Larry Rountree III established himself as a productive freshman running back in the SEC after getting the majority of the carries after Damarea Crockett went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

At the start of this season, they are listed as co-starters on the depth chart.

"Larry knows that I'm going to bring my best everyday," said junior running back Damarea Crockett when asked about being listed as a co-starter on the depth chart. "And I know that Larry is going to bring his best everyday. We just push ourselves and the competition everyday and I feel that it makes us and our team better."

Crockett last year rushed for 481 yards on 80 carries with two scores along with four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Georgia. Crockett also had a very productive freshman campaign during the 2016 season in which he rushed for over a 1000 yards.  

Sophomore running back Larry Rountree III finished his freshman season last year with 703 rushing yards on 126 attempts with six touchdowns. In the final seven games after Crockett was hurt, Rountree racked up 574 yards and five scores while averaging over six yards per carry.

Now, they both start the season healthy and ready to contribute as they look to become one of the SEC's better running back duos.

When asked whether or not it mattered who would start the opening series Rountree replied, "It doesn't matter. Everybody's going to eat. Whoever is the most consistent is going to play."

Crockett and Rountree both have unique running styles as Crockett looks to be the dynamic speed back while Rountree is more of a down-field, between the tackles runner.

"Like coach says Damarea is more of the finesse back while I'm more of the power guy," said Rountree when asked about their differing running styles. "Those things can really destroy a defense when you think about it because they don't know what they're getting when me and Damarea come in."

When asked if the running back duo could do damage this year Crockett simply said, "Oh yeah. Without a doubt."

Other running backs that could see the field this season include, Simi Bakare, Tyler Badie, Dawson Downing and Isaiah Miller.

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.