COLUMBIA, Mo. – The third day of #MIZCAMP18 and the first day of pads wrapped up with players looking to escape the heat and unwind after a physical day on the Kadlec Practice Fields. Head coach Barry Odom ended the day with remarks on getting into the rhythm of fall camp.
"This is where we want to be," Odom said. "We're getting into the routine and continuing to build through the process of what we need to become. It was the first day we were able to put on shoulder pads so it was a little more of a physical practice. Got to see some younger guys in this environment for the first time."
On a day that was predicated more on physicality and toughness, the defensive players—namely those along the defensive line—attacked the day and provided a glimpse into what the position group has to offer during the upcoming season.
Barry Odom was quick to praise the group and highlighted the possibilities that the linemen provide on the defensive side of the ball.
"Defensively, so many moving scenarios, inside and outside at defensive line, how we can move those guys around," Odom said of the opportunities along the line. "Who can play on the edge, developing the young freshmen at defensive end and those spots to see if they have a chance to help us in some of our different sub-packages."
Odom was not the only coach on the Tigers' staff that paid close attention to the defensive line group. DL coach Brick Haley was quick to praise the group's impressive start to camp.
"Saw a lot of excitement from those guys, saw a lot of energy; they're really excited about the opportunity that we got having them here," Haley mentioned. "They have the body length that you want, they have instincts, they have football knowledge. I've been really pleased with them."
While the defensive line lost a sizeable amount of production from a year ago with the departures of DEs Jordan Harold and Marcell Frazier and DT A.J. Logan, Haley was beyond impressed with the maturity and physical prowess of the collection of young players along the line that will take the reins this season.
"It's unbelievable. You can't even imagine," Haley said of the improvements of sophomore DEs Chris Turner and Tre Williams. "It'd be like a guy now that we just got here as a freshman go back to his high school and play another senior year. It's awesome because you've learned so much more football and you've probably got bigger, faster, stronger so now the opportunity to go back and dominate in that situation is probably evident that's going to happen."
Aside from the younger presence felt on the edge, the middle of the defensive line will be anchored by veteran DTs Walter Palmore and Terry Beckner, Jr.— with the latter being named second-team preseason All-SEC by the media. Regarding Beckner, Haley raved about the East St. Louis native as he comes off an injury-free offseason.
"He's got a mindset right now that he's got a purpose," Haley said of Beckner. "He's been probably farther than he's ever been. This is the first time he's finished a complete summer, first time he's completed a full season, first time he's gone through a whole summer of conditioning. So right now, he's feeling like he's a new guy and he really is. He's playing that way and he's playing with great confidence and he's doing a great job of being a leader in our room which is really, really great for me.
Summing things up on Beckner, Haley simply added one phrase.
"The big thing about Terry Beckner right now is Terry Beckner's a man," Haley stated. "That's the way he carries himself and I appreciate him for everything that he does."
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.