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Wilks shakes up roles, philosophy for Mizzou secondary

That’s what teammate Ennis Rakestraw Jr. calls him — all in good fun.

Last fall, the two freshmen became the Tigers’ starting cornerback tandem, but new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has different plans for Carlies. With MU’s three-year starting safeties off training for the NFL, Wilks decided he needed to shake up his secondary after evaluating the roster. Carlies, who played wide receiver almost exclusively in high school, was the team’s free safety in Saturday’s open practice and promptly intercepted two passes, one he would have returned for a touchdown.

Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz has made it clear players won’t earn starting jobs until preseason camp in August, but it appears Carlies is making a push at a position of need.