#MIZCAMP17 Focus - Linebacker Preview
8/17/2017 2:10:00 PM | Football
Beisel, Prewett look to lead Mizzou's reformed linebacking unit into 2017
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As Mizzou Football broke from spring camp this season, those surrounding the program and those familiar with the team had a good idea of who the main contributors at linebacker would be as the team headed into fall camp. But during the dog days of summer, a large contingent of football pundits around the nation viewed Mizzou's linebacker group as a bit of an unknown. After losing tenured senior starters Michael Scherer and Donavin Newsom, Mizzou seemingly had holes to fill at that position. As the team headed to SEC Media Day in mid-July, Mizzou senior middle linebacker Eric Beisel made sure that it would be the last time Mizzou's linebacking crew would be an unknown.
Beisel stole the show at SEC Media Day with a flashy yet understated bravado. With tales of a past life as a gladiator and a piqued interest from the contingent of Arkansas media in attendance, Beisel introduced the nation to Mizzou's group of linebackers. The rest of the group is ready to prove themselves on the field as the team nears the final week of preseason fall camp.
"We have high expectations for ourselves," Beisel said. "The entire group are leaders. It's a ton of guys who are committed to what we want to do."
Mizzou made a few tweaks in the linebacking position and how the group is coached in the offseason. Head coach Barry Odom hired his brother, Brian, away from Washington State to create a unique coaching spot, overseeing the outside linebackers. That allowed defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross to shift his focus to coaching the inside linebackers. So far in camp, the difference is evident as both groups are continuing to fly towards the football, both in the run and pass game.
"What Brian Odom has brought to us is kind of a specialty position in that SAM, outside back or nickel positon," Cross said.
"It's a unique position in the fact that this player has to do everything on the field," Brian Odom said. "It has so much versatility that you need a very athletic guy. Size and speed are going to be the key with him, and athleticism."
Through the first 15 days of training camp, 'that guy' has emerged as Kansas State transfer Kaleb Prewett. After playing safety at K-State, Prewett has shifted to that hybrid position because he has all of the traits that Odom has detailed. Mix in his great knowledge of the game, Prewett is the perfect fit for the Tigers at that position. The transition has been seamless for Prewett, and he credits much of that to Brian Odom.
"He's a great coach," Prewett said. "He coaches me real hard, but at the same time, we are going through this together. I feel like our chemistry is pretty good and we are working on things on a more personal level, rather than just a player-coach relationship."
Throw veteran linebacker Brandon Lee into the mix at that position and Mizzou has a pair of big, athletic options to help in both stopping the run and in pass protection.
"I've got a room full of guys that I'm excited about," Odom said of his group.
Shifting the focus to the middle of the field, Beisel appears to be the front-runner for the starting spot at the middle linebacker spot, but sophomore Cale Garrett has had a strong camp and has emerged as a playmaker every time he is on the field as well.
"Beisel's really done a good job, but Cale Garrett is really pushing him," Cross said. "We are making sure that we have a really solid two-deep at each of our linebacking positions."
While Beisel, Garrett and the rest of the linebackers have formed a healthy competition in the room, the group knows that they are playing for much more than themselves.
"It's not about ourselves," Beisel said. "It's much bigger than that. It's even bigger than our team; it's an entire state that is depending on us and has invested in us and they deserve something big this year."
Stay tuned to #MIZCamp17 by following Mizzou Football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouFootball. Tickets are available for the season by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS locally), or visiting MUTigers.com/FBTix.
