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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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – There’s a new effort in Missouri to bring more training to every coroner in the state.

But the handling and timing of that effort is raising concerns.

Cape Girardeau Representative John Voss reached out to me Monday to tell me about the proposed rule laid out by the state’s Coroner Standards and Training Commission.

He just found out about it last week–the public now has less than 48 hours to weigh in on it–and Voss worries it could actually keep duly elected coroners from doing their jobs.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

19 CSR 20-80.010 establishes training standards for county coroners–something Voss wanted to do when he filed legislation last spring.

The Chairman of the Commission tells me–the 19 guidelines listed in the rule are loosely based on national standards for death investigations–highlighting knowledge of autopsies, evidence collection and scene investigation.

But, Voss tells me–the timing of this rule has him worried.

“It looks like it might place some coroners who may have been newly elected in a position where they’re not able to take office in January,” Voss says.

And here’s why.

Under Missouri Statute, all coroners must complete 20 hours of training each year. That training, Voss points out, is offered by the Coroner and Medical Examiner’s Association twice a year–in April and October. If this new rule takes effect, Voss says it’ll likely happen in early December.

“Right before people are supposed to take office in January,” Voss points out. “My specific concern is, you know, when people filed for the office of coroner in February and March, these rules didn’t exist. They may be going through a primary election here in a few days, and then a general election in November. With the rule becoming effective in December, which then says they’re not qualified to hold the office that they were just elected to.”

“So then what happens?” I asked.

“I’m not sure based on part of the statute that I was able to read. It looks like they may not be able to assume the office they were wanted to and that would revert back to the office of the sheriff like we have in Cape Girardeau County. And then their office would be responsible for conducting any death investigations and to certify any death certificates in the electronic records system the state of Missouri uses.”

Are you surprised that you didn’t know this?  I asked Voss of the rule and public comment period, set to expire Wednesday.

“Disappointed it might be a good word to use. I was hoping that I would be informed when they finally came to a conclusion that they were going to release the proposed rule.”

Now that he has it, Voss says he’s reached out to the Cape County families who shared their concerns about the conduct of Cape Girardeau County Coroner Wavis Jordan and who testified on behalf of Voss’ coroner qualifications and training bill earlier this year. He says he wants to make sure they can make their voices heard.

He plans on submitting his own public comments as well.

“I’m a little concerned anytime we have unelected bureaucrats making rules that sound like they’re a law. I would sure like for this to be a lot more transparent process and to invite the public to comment on these things so it’s much more known and visible what’s happening, especially given the elevation of what we’re experiencing here in Cape Girardeau County.”

I reached out to Missouri Coroner Standards and Training Commission Chairman Michael Taylor.

Taylor says, “prior to the Coroners Training and Standards Commission being established, there were no established training standards for coroners in the state of Missouri. Chapter 58 RSMO only required that coroners attend 20 hours of training annually, however, it was up to MCMEA what was taught at those training classes/conferences. The purpose of the proposed rule is to provide basic uniform training to all coroners working in Missouri and raise the bar for coroner education in the state.”

When I asked Taylor about the timing of the rule impacting incoming coroners and those who have not had this kind of training, Taylor said he’s aware there could be an issue, but it was not their intent to create a situation where coroners would not be able to take office.

I also asked Taylor if the Commission could delay the implementation of the rule if it’s adopted. 

He responded, “It is my understanding that this may be an option for the Commission to consider. The Commission has not, at this point, had any discussions on this topic, however, this may be discussed at Friday’s meeting.”

The Missouri Coroner Standards and Training Commission is set to meet on August 2. Taylor says they may know more about timing after that meeting. Representative Voss says he will attend. 

Voss also reached out to the Cape County families who shared their concerns about the conduct of Cape Girardeau County Coroner Wavis Jordan and who testified on behalf of Voss’ coroner qualifications and training bill earlier this year.

The public comment period for the proposed coroner training standard rule ends this Wednesday, July 31 at 5 p.m. Public comments can be sent to  dylan.bryant@health.mo.gov.

Copyright 2024 KFVS. All rights reserved.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KFVS) – Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial will “go orange” to observe Agent Orange Awareness Day.

According to a release from the museum, each year August 10 marks the day in 1961 when the substance was first used in Vietnam and is meant to pay tribute to those who were exposed to the deadly compound.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the museum will have informational displays on Agent Orange, followed by the wall “going orange” at dusk.

Organizers say candles will be available under the pavilion from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. for those wanting to light one in memory of a loved one lost to the effects of Agent Orange.

Copyright 2024 KFVS. All rights reserved.