Missouri’s defensive line could get another boost this fall, as redshirt senior defensive tackle Harold Brantley is getting closer to return from the serious car accident that kept him from playing in 2015.

“He’s made a ton of progress, from the times we talked in the spring til now,” Odom said. “Weight-wise, he’s up to around the 270 mark. When he got out of the hospital, he was down around 200. He’s made a lot of progress as well. It’s day-to-day for him now, just getting back and always learning, re-teaching himself how to run and change direction. He had a significant number of surgeries that’s taken some time to get over.”

His possible return is also a boon for his teammates, as Brantley has been viewed as one of the most inspirational leaders on the team, even before the car accident.

“It’s just kind of his mentality of how he approaches each day,” linebacker Michael Scherer said. “The guys in the D-line room have really grabbed onto that, and when they see the way he thinks, they kind of go along with it and they see how successful they can be and how hard they can work, and that’s why they all respect him so much

“Him being on the field as a player definitely matters because of how talented he is, but I think when it comes to having younger guys, especially in the d-line room, them being able to look at him and have him show them the ropes of how the guys before Harold did it, the Markus Goldens, the Shane Rays, the Kony Ealys, Sheldon, all those guys were the same way. Harold got a chance to see that, and he’s just kind of bringing it down the line. His leadership and his attitude, it’s his attitude that’s contagious.”

Brantley sat out spring ball to focus on academics, and Odom said everything is looking good in that department.

“He’s in two classes currently,” Odom said. “Did a really good job finishing up one class that he had from last semester. He’s done the things academically that he needed to, up to this point.”