#MIZCAMP17 Day 10 - Tigers Hit #TheZou For Friday Practice
8/11/2017 1:56:00 PM | Football
Drew Lock matures as a leader of one of the SEC's top offenses
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Football held its 10th practice of #MIZCAMP17 Friday morning on Faurot Field at Mizzou's Memorial Stadium. The practice was a light one as it served as the final tune-up before the team's first scrimmage, which will be held Saturday morning.
Lock Embraces Leadership Role in Third Year as Signal Caller
Drew Lock entered his third fall camp in Columbia this August as an established and accomplished SEC quarterback. Now fully comfortable in his role, the Mizzou gun slinger has a different approach this season, relying on his mastery of offensive coordinator Josh Heupel's scheme to help guide a young and talented Tiger offense.
Lock finished last season as the SEC leader in passing yards, racking up 3,399 yards through the air. He also ranked second in the conference in yards per completion (14.34) and passing yards per game (283.3). The junior from Lee's Summit also brings back a very talented core group of skill players, including his backfield partner Damarea Crockett, who set multiple freshman program records on the ground last year. Crockett rushed for 1,062 yards and ten touchdowns, both Mizzou records for a freshman. His 7.3 yards per carry ranked best among SEC freshman, and third overall. The Lock and Crockett backfield combination is primed to be one of the best in college football heading into the 2017 campaign.
With so much talent surrounding him in the backfield and at the receiver position, Lock has focused heavily this summer on helping his wide outs pinpoint their routes based on the chemistry he's built with them and his own preferences to ensure they're all on the same page before the regular season kicks off early next month.
"It happened this summer, when I really started to get vocal about how I want routes run and just knowing our offense well enough to know where the receivers should break, how many big steps or small steps they should take on a route," Lock said. "Just knowing exactly what I wanted them to do and how they should do it kind of freed me up to say what I wanted to."
Lock, who prefers to let his play on the field do the talking, credits repetition and his comfort level with the offense heading into his third year under center with helping him evolve into a true vocal leader in the huddle this season.
"It got to the point where I got so comfortable that it just happened," Lock said. "It wasn't like 'hey you need to speak up' or I'm thinking 'wow I haven't said much today, I need to speak up', it's more so just trying to be the best offense that we can be. If I see something that we need to fix or that could be better, then I'm going to say something."
With day 10 of #MIZCAMP17 officially in the books, Lock and the Mizzou offense get to finally showcase what they've been working on all offseason as the team is set for a scrimmage Saturday at Faurot Field.
For Lock, it's another opportunity to fine-tune his offense as the Tigers' signal caller. With anticipation building for a big season and an explosive and versatile attack from the Tiger offense, Lock is confident in his preparation.
"When I got to the point where I knew this job inside and out, I knew I could go out and play well."
Word on the Tweet
First scrimmage of #MIZCAMP17 ?? Tomorrow! #MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/tH1nxf8IQZ
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 11, 2017
#FridayFeeling #MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/mnQJDWfprt
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 11, 2017
First practice of #MIZCAMP17 in #TheZou! ?????? #MIZ #ShowMe pic.twitter.com/w1bkrpM2iz
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 11, 2017
.@Charles_AO1 getting ready for his first game.#ATLvsMIA pic.twitter.com/DulL9lk3yK
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 10, 2017
Rookie Report
#MIZCAMP17 #RookieReport@c_holmes662 and @DeMarkusAcy2 introduce us to freshman CB Adam Sparks (@adamsparks18). #MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/lT45rZA5Yb
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 11, 2017
#MeetTheSquad
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 10, 2017
Meet #Mizzou freshman Adam Sparks (@adamsparks18)#MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/4xQnX9yLZf
