Today marked the conclusion of fall camp, with the Tigers concluding on a tough Tuesday. The team had a variety of special team drills, tackling drills, and more. With the camp coming to a conclusion, Eli met with the media to share his thoughts and answer questions.

Eli’s thoughts on the fall camp as a whole:

“Yeah, today ends fall camp for us. That was 18 practices. You know, we had three goals going into our fall camp. Number one, it was hard. Number two was to embrace your role, put the team first. And number three was, believe in us to become the team of teams. You know, number one by measuring stick, this was the hardest camp that we’ve had since we’ve been here. Combination of heat, good on, good periods, number of periods, number of live tackling situations. And I think our guys really responded really, really well.”

After Drinkwitz spoke on the overall intensity of fall camp, questions began to flood and it didn’t take long before the quarterback situation was brought up. Here’s what he had to say on the competition, with game week approaching:

“You know, this has been something that’s kept me up every night and keeps me waking  up in the morning. I think those guys have played really well, both of them, really well. In fact, the two-minute, four-minute just kind of sealed it in my mind, like, my gosh, these guys both can play at a high level and win. So what does that mean moving forward? I don’t know yet. I just got off the field today, but we’ll start UCA prep tomorrow. We’ll make a decision, and talk to both those guys here in the next 24 hours about what we’re going to do, and make sure the team’s comfortable with the plan moving forward.”

With the QB position being decided on, it’s unclear if Eli was meaning specifically naming a starter, or just getting a game plan going to name one. I guess we will find out in 24 hours.

In other big news, Drink announced who the five offensive line starters will be, after he confirmed that Curtis Peagler will be the starting right guard moving forward.

“Yeah, if we started today, Curtis would be the starter, and then Tristan would come in as needed in a rotational spot. We felt like in the third series, we needed to put Tristan in either guard or a center position, so yes, but right now, Curtis would be our starter in week one.”

After the coach wrapped up, 7 of the 9 Missouri captains would speak, with Sam Horn and Beau Pribula being unavailable.

Up next to the podium was UNLV transfer and Arkansas safety, who looks to lead an experienced Mizzou defense. Here’s what Catalon had to say about him being selected as a captain:

“It’s a true blessing, you know, especially for my last year, to know that the team thinks of me for that, and you know, the coach as well as much appreciated. But with that being said, like Coach said for us, you know, having a captain means a lot. You know, with that becomes high reward becomes high responsibility, so I gotta make sure that I play my part, make sure I’m there, make sure everybody’s doing the right thing, living up to the standard of Mizzou football and just attacking every day, and just making sure I’m my best, best at my best, foot forward.”

“ Yeah, what stands out to you about this group of captains? It’s more than coach drinks ever had this time here. But what’s good about this group? I think it’s just the Brotherhood, just how close we are to each other. You know, obviously us, having so many captains as we do, shows that there’s, there’s a lot of guys that can go lead this team and be captains, but he chose us, and the team chose us. So we’re just blessed to have that seat on our chest. But the other day is all about putting our best foot forward, and everybody living up to the standard, whether you have a senior chest or not. But I just love how the brothers and everybody’s close here, you know, I love it.”

Catalan also spoke about Ahmad Hardy and how tough it is to bring the sophomore running back down.

“He’s definitely tough to bring down, you know? I mean, he’s one of those guys where, I mean, he’s not looking to go down. He’s not looking to be that guy. He’s not afraid of contact, either. So you gotta come with a mindset to hit him. But like I said, I’m glad he’s on my team, and I can’t wait to see him run that ball on the 28th.”

After Catalon wrapped up, Zion Young, maybe my personal favorite media personality, made his introduction. Young had the opportunity to speak on guys like Damon Wilson, as well as the freshman in the room. Here is Young on the freshman pairing of Daeden Hopkins and Javion Hilson:

“Just from high school to college, they took it upon themselves, these guys, who’s like grown men, like they’ve been in college for a little bit. You see them. They’re in his room, this is where we actually meet. So in his room, you’re always catching them. They’re always in the film room. So they are always a step ahead. These guys are always a step ahead.”

Center, Connor Tollison, would be up next. Tollison is coming off of a torn acl, but he is close to 100%. Here is what Tollison said about his overall health:

“I feel pretty good. You know, these past couple weeks getting back into things, it’s been nice to play football and just not stand on the sidelines. So I feel good and I’m excited.”

Tollison was also asked about the changes on the offensive line, explaining that former left guard Cayden Green is moving to left tackle, Dominick Giudice is now at left guard, and Curtis Peagler is stepping in at right guard.

“Yes, and no. With Caden moving from left guard to left tackle, I’m used to playing alongside him at right guard, so that transition didn’t feel very different. As for Curtis stepping into right guard, I haven’t had many reps with him before, so there was some initial adjustment needed for our communication and chemistry. After about a week, though, we’ve started working out those early kinks.”

Whilst wide receiver Logan Muckey may just be a walk-on and may not receive ample amounts of playing time, there’s zero doubt that he is a big part of this team. Muckey shared with the media that he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in April, something that shook him to the core, but also made him a young man. Here is what Muckey said on that:

“Yeah. So for those of you who don’t know, back in April of this past year, I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. It was a shock. It was a shock for me, shock for my family, shock for, you know, my friends, my teammates, being 22 years old, that’s not really something you want to, you know, hear about yourself. So it was, it was, it was a come-to-Jesus moment. For me, it was figuring out who I was having to deal with off the field, while also trying to play my role on the field, but it was something that I was very fortunate to have the people around me that I did. I had amazing people here, amazing people over at Ellis Fisher Cancer Research Center. Everyone who was with me was with me every step of the way. It was. It was a team. It was a team effort. I had surgery back in May to get that mass removed, and ever since then, I’ve been 100% cancer-free.”

Muckey also spoke on being a former walk-on and, despite all of the adversity, what keeps him going:

“Every time I step out on the field wearing the suit across my chest, it’s worth it. I love this university. I love playing here. I love Coach drinks. I love all my coaches. Coach Peeler. I love the team. I love everyone there. So being able to come in and work with the guys that I work with every day makes it worth it. It is walking away. The odds are stacked against you. It’s, you know, it’s an uphill battle, but the guys here make that battle like a fight that battle with you. I’m not walking alone. I’ve been blessed to be here with the guys that I’m here with. It’s amazing. Guys, top down has made this journey incredible. You know, when you walk on somewhere, you’re betting on yourself, and I bet on myself every single day, and it’s paid off because of the people I have with me and teammates I have.’

Next up was now left tackle, Cayden Green, who, unsurprisingly, was asked plenty of questions about his move to left tackle. Green showed what about his game translates to that position:

“Yeah, I think my arms are pretty long. I’d like to think that I’m pretty athletic as well. I guess we will see in a few weeks, but I’m just trying to play ball.”

Earlier in the press conference, Eli mentioned how this was by far the toughest fall camp in his tenure, wanting to challenge a deep and talented roster. Here is what “Star” position player, Daylan Carnell, had to say about that:

“Yeah, this was the toughest camp. I’ve been a part of this, my fifth one. So this definitely was the toughest camp. He made it hard on purpose. So, I mean, I guess that’s good for the team, with two a little bit of hard stuff together as a team and stuff like that. But he definitely made it hard for us, but we all got through it, and I feel like it made us better as a team.”

Lastly was linebacker Khalil Jacobs, who has been complimented by coach Drinkwitz as a high energy guy, which showed as he led the team today in Tiger jacks for the last fall camp practice. Here’s what he said about the energy that he brings:

“Oh, yeah, when I first got in, I was trying to, like, put my way around, get comfortable and get settled into the new team I’m with. But yeah, now, like, I have a bigger voice and a bigger role. So now I’m just trying to make sure everybody is at the part of the standard, and get folks who aren’t with the standard to the standard so we can be the best.”

Missouri will open up the season against Central Arkansas at home, 6PM, Thursday, August 28th.