Everything you read from this sentence on could be irrelevant if Mizzou's offensive line can't protect the shaggy-headed sophomore who will stand behind the center.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, here's an optimistic take to coincide with the first weekend of the Tigers' fall camp.
There's no reason quarterback Drew Lock can't wind up being one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC East this season.
Let me explain.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Lock enters year two having learned firsthand the growing pains that come with the transition from four-star prospect to SEC starter.