COLUMBIA, Mo. • The Missouri defense has a backward look to it these days. For years, the Tigers’ strength has come in the trenches as the assembly line of all-conference players and NFL draft picks churned out star after star.
In Gary Pinkel’s 14 seasons as head coach, 10 different defensive linemen have earned first-team all-conference honors in either the Big 12 of SEC, compared to just two defensive backs, former cornerback E.J. Gaines and safety William Moore.
This year, while Mizzou rebuilds its depth along the line, it’s the secondary that boasts the experience — and maybe the accolades come season’s end.