Deepest on defense? Here’s how Missouri football’s safeties shape up heading into fall camp

Of all the position rooms on the Missouri football defense, the safeties return the most production and experience.

The Tigers’ lone significant loss was in JC Carlies, who was a fifth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, where he looks set to transition to linebacker. Beyond that, the Tigers return some intriguing pieces.

That’s a good spot for new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, who also will coach the safeties for the Tigers. It’s also a rare one for Missouri, which lost 10 starters or key role players on defense to either the NFL Draft or to eligibility over the offseason.

Here is how Missouri’s safeties room looks heading into fall camp. Every scholarship player and any notable walk-on is mentioned:

The options for Missouri football at safety

Starters: Daylan Carnell, jr.; Joseph Charleston, sr.; Marvin Burks, so.

Reserves: Sidney Williams Sr., sr.; Tre’Vez Johnson, sr.; Phillip Roche, so.; Trajen Greco, fr.; Caleb Flagg, jr.; Austyn Dendy, fr.; Jackson Hancock, fr.

Daylan Carnell will start at the star safety role, a hybrid safety/linebacker position that looks like it will carry over from the scheme set in place by former defensive coordinator Blake Baker.

Behind him in the secondary, Joseph Charleston looks set to resume his role at free safety, while sophomore Marvin Burks Jr. will take over for Carlies at strong safety.

The Tigers have three versatile and proven backups behind that trio, too. Sidney Williams Sr. and Tre’Vez Johnson, transfers out of Florida and Florida State, respectively, ahead of the 2023 campaign, were strong backups last year. Roche flashed great potential backing up Carnell at the star in his freshman year.

Caleb Flagg, a walk-on out of Houston Christian and the brother of new MU linebacker Corey Flagg, was one of the surprising names to emerge out of spring camp, drawing praise from the coaches for his on-ball ability.

Four-star prospect Trajen Greco looks set to rep at safety for Mizzou, as will three-star recruits Austyn Dendy and Jackson Hancock.

The upside

Charleston has been a tried-and-tested talent over two seasons with Missouri since transferring from Clemson two years ago. Burks showed he has as high a ceiling as perhaps anyone on this Mizzou defense in his rookie year.

But the player to perhaps be most excited about is Daylan Carnell, who has just got better and better each year in his time with Mizzou.

He was a force when he was brought up to blitz in the Cotton Bowl, hounding Ohio State’s quarterbacks from kickoff to triple-zeros, finishing that game with a sack and three QB hurries. Against Tennessee, Carnell showed off a good eye, taking an interception back to the house in the fourth quarter to really put the final nail in the Vols’ coffin. It was his second pick-six in as many seasons.

If he takes another step forward, he could very well be Missouri’s defensive MVP this season. There aren’t any glaring weaknesses in his game, and his strengths have just gotten better and better as he’s progressed.

One question or concern

Batoon, like Blake Baker before him, will coach the safeties this season. The question facing this group is how he’ll want them to act. Will he bring Charleston and Burks into blitz as often as Baker did Charleston and Carlies? What kind of coverages will this unit be adept at defending? How will its relationship with a new-look pairing at cornerback look?

This is a talented group, but the details are still to be ironed out as to their role in the greater scheme of the defense.

The good news for the Tigers is that this is about as talented and deep a room as they have on defense, at least heading into the preseason. Between Carnell, Charleston, Williams and Johnson, there’s a lot of high-level experience on display, which should mitigate most concerns.

Breakout candidate

Phillip Roche had a promising freshman season, particularly impressing as a hybrid linebacker against Kentucky with a sack and a forced fumble.

Now, behind who may be the standout member of this defense in Carnell, he could be primed for a jump forward. 

It would be a similar progression as Carnell, who started his career backing up Martez Manuel at the position in 2022. Roche has taken his chances in the lineup so far. His progression into his sophomore season makes for some intrigue.

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