Five returning Missouri football players in line for new or bigger roles in 2024

Missouri football dipped into the portal to fill some holes left behind by its 2023 graduates and NFL draft-bound players. The Tigers’ 2024 recruiting class will vie for some others.

But several spots in Missouri's starting lineup next season look set to be filled by returners.

Here are five returners, through 10 days of spring camp, who look like they may have new or bigger roles for Missouri in the coming season:

Marvin Burks Jr., safety

JC Carlies’ vacant spot appears to be in the hands of Marvin Burks Jr., who has been repping with the presumed starters in many of the open periods of practice.

Starting star safety Daylan Carnell was full of praise for Burks, a sophomore, in the first week of camp. Returning safety Joseph Charleston echoed that Wednesday.

“He's really athletic. He's really big and fluid,” Charleston said. “... So last year, I think it was kind of him getting his feet wet and getting a feel for the position, and now I think that … he’s become a more mature player.”

Burks had a productive rookie year after joining from Cardinal Ritter in St. Louis, totaling 22 tackles, including a sack against South Dakota in his debut.

Cam’Ron Johnson, left guard

Last year’s starting right guard, it seems, is switching sides, moving to the starting role at left guard. That shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Indeed, it might be an upgrade.

Left guard is Johnson’s natural position. It’s where he played at Houston and was a first-team All-AAC selection. Johnson looks likely to pair up with highly-touted Oklahoma transfer Cayden Green on the left side of the line, and said that’s where he’s “more comfortable,” even if he has to relearn some of the footwork associated with switching sides.

“I've been doing it for like, three, four years now,” Johnson said, “So it's just back to the basics, honestly.”

What remains unknown: Who is going to fill the spot at right guard?

Johnson said Wednesday that it’s an open competition, with Logan Reichert, Mitchell Walters, Tristan Wilson and Curtis Peagler fighting for the starting role between center Connor Tollison and right tackle Armand Membou.

Drey Norwood, cornerback

When Ennis Rakestraw Jr. missed parts of last season with injury, Drey Norwood frequently stepped in at corner.

Now Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine are running drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Norwood appears to be Missouri’s new CB1.

Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. came on board at corner from the portal. Marcus Clarke is back for another season. Ja’Mariyon Wayne has switched from wide receiver to corner and Shamar McNeil could certainly feature.

But as it stands, Norwood leads the race to start. It’s no small order replicating the production of Rakestraw and Abrams-Draine, but that served as motivation for the new presumed starter.

“I feel like everybody has questions about us,” Norwood said. “So we want to just come in and show everybody that we’re ready for every challenge.”

Marquis Johnson, wide receiver

Marquis Johnson was not quiet in his freshman year.

The 76-yard touchdown against Memphis in Week 4 was a hint. Luke Bauer’s 39-yard, fake-punt touchdown pass to Johnson against Kentucky, history now shows, was among the more important plays en route to 11-2 and the Cotton Bowl trophy.

Johnson caught 13 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns, all told.

He’s fast, he’s explosive. And he’s getting better.

On Wednesday, during a one-on-one drill at Missouri’s open practice, he reached over Wayne in coverage to make a spectacular touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone. Wayne acknowledged the catch with some unpublishable praise.

The wide receiver could take a leap in Year 2. Johnson said he’s been working with quarterback Brady Cook on creating designed plays.

“Last year I wasn't as confident,” Johnson said. “I was just trying to get on the ground, get into things, but this year I'm approaching it with a different mindset and more confident.”

Brayshawn Littlejohn, linebacker

Both of Missouri’s linebackers who started 2023 at the top of the depth chart are now gone, with Ty’Ron Hopper a likely Day 2 or 3 pick in April and Chad Bailey out of eligibility.

Chuck Hicks and Triston Newson both played frequently, including starting in the Cotton Bowl, when Hopper and Bailey missed time with injuries last season. As it stands, they’re the starters.

But Littlejohn has been taking enough reps in spring camp with the presumed backups to suggest he’s in the running for an increased role.

The 6-foot, 213-pound redshirt freshman played in four games last season. The Tigers lost several reserve linebackers to the transfer portal, and brought in Miami’s Corey Flagg. That opens the door for Littlejohn to step into a prominent role.

“Look at him from last year to this year, he’s a whole different kid,” Hicks said Feb. 28. “You know, he's bigger, stronger, faster. He knows the plays, and he’s got a better understanding; he plays a lot faster, too. I mean, we see it on the field. You see he's got some picks out there (being) around the ball. He's gonna be a really good player.”

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football: 5 returning players in line for new or bigger roles