The starting offensive line for the Missouri Tigers on Saturday will see familiar faces, with all five players lining up against Central Michigan either upperclassmen or returning starters from the 2020 season.
Beginning his second season at Mizzou, the center position will be manned by Rutgers transfer Michael Maietti, with team captain Case Cook locked into the right guard spot, while Xavier Delgado earned the starting nod at left guard.
More up in the air going into the opener were the tackle positions, with Coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff eventually settling on Hyrin White and Javon Foster for the spots on the left side and the right side, respectively. Zeke Powell made a spirited run at Foster’s right tackle nod, but Foster, after what Drinkwitz referred to as having an “unbelievable offseason” got the starting position.
There are 12 linemen on the depth chart ahead of Saturday’s 3 o’clock kick against Central Michigan at Faurot Field in Columbia (KTTN FM 92.3), including Montana State transfer Connor Wood, Bobby Lawrence, and Oklahoma transfer E.J. Ndoma-Ogar.
The starting defensive line positions will go to Trajan Jeffcoat, Kobie Whiteside, Akial Byers, and Isaiah McGuire, however, early recruiting returns for Drinkwitz at that position have been fruitful, with young talent ready to earn their own playing time, the likes of freshmen Mekhi Wingo and Arden Walker.
Pregame for the Mizzou season opener against Central Michigan on Saturday hits the air at 1 o’clock on KTTN FM 92.3, with again, the game kicking off at 3 o’clock.
