Looking Forward - Safeties

Key Departures: Singleton, Webb

Returning Starters: Simon

In The Mix: Browning (Sr.), Wilson (So.), Sherrils (So.), Ross (Fr.), Stribling (Fr.)

New Additions: Warren, Hilton, Perkins

I'm not separating out the nickelbacks, thus Singleton is included with the safeties.

Mizzou loses a bit of production at this position. Singleton was the primary nickleback and Webb really came into his own at safety. Both will be missed, but I think both will be replaced with guys equal to the task or better.

At the nickleback, Wilson actually saw a decent amount of time as a true freshman. If the position is used as much under Odom, I would presume Wilson will get the primary duties there. I don't recall his name being called much last year, but that might be a good thing.

At safety, Simon played nearly as many snaps as Webb and I don't expect that to change next year. The next question is who, then, gets Webb's snaps. It would seem that the 2 choices will be either the veteran and experience of Browning or potentially the more youthful but possibly more talented Sherrils.

The "x" factor at the safety position for me is Ross. He was late to camp and never had a chance to make the team as a true freshmen. But we know that he stuck with Mizzou despite receiving a lot of late attention from the big name schools. If he's as good as billed, could he step in and compete for snaps with Sherrils and Browning?

Again, I included all of the commits because I don't know where they'll shake out. If they stick int he defensive backfield, I suspect that they'll all redshirt.

Without a doubt, we miss two key contributors from last year, but something tells me that safety too is going to be a position that is actually stronger next year than this past. There is a lot of young talent on this team that will finally get a chance to shine.