Missouri safety Isaac Thompson will be sidelined for the entire 2023 college football season due to a lower body injury that required surgery. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed the news, stating that Thompson’s absence is a significant loss for the team’s defensive backfield. Thompson, a four-star prospect out of high school, redshirted last season and had been expected to contribute this year.
Thompson was spotted at practice on crutches with a brace on his right leg, highlighting the severity of his injury. Despite this setback, Missouri’s defensive backfield remains strong, with all four starters from last season returning, including standout cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine.
In other team news, Missouri named team captains for the 2023 season, including quarterback Brady Cook and running back Cody Schrader. Cook will share quarterback duties with Sam Horn in the first game, after which a decision on the starting quarterback will be made. Schrader, a former walk-on, had an impressive debut season with the Tigers, leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Missouri’s upcoming season includes challenging matchups, with a game against the South Dakota Coyotes scheduled for August 31st. They also face the Kansas State Wildcats before delving into their SEC schedule, which features tough opponents like LSU, Georgia, and Florida in the later part of the season.
