It’s a new era at cornerback for Missouri football.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who was MU coach Eli Drinkwitz’s first recruit in Columbia, became a second-round NFL Draft pick this offseason and is now a Detroit Lion. His starting cornerback partner Kris Abrams-Draine, who led the Southeastern Conference in pass breakups last season, followed Rakestraw to the league when the Denver Broncos took him with a fifth-round pick.

Now, Mizzou has the task of finding their replacements.

One of the Tigers’ highlight transfer portal acquisitions came at the position, and the coaches have spoken highly of another key returner. Still, a number of questions linger at the position, mostly pertaining to depth and experience.

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

The options for Missouri football at cornerback

Starters: Drey Norwood, jr.; Toriano Pride, jr.

Reserves: Marcus Clarke, sr.; Ja’Mariyon Wayne, so.; Nicholas DeLoach, r-fr.; Shamar McNeil, r-fr.; Cameron Keys, fr.; Jaren Sensabaugh, fr.

Drey Norwood filled in admirably when Rakestraw spent time on the sideline with an injury and has drawn the plaudits of MU cornerbacks coach Al Pogue for his offseason development and performances in spring camp. As it stands, he is due to start when Missouri begins its season on Aug. 29 against Murray State on Faurot Field.

Early indications suggest Toriano Pride Jr., an East St. Louis High alum and Clemson transfer, will make up the other half of the starters at corner.

Pogue has been high on both Nicholas DeLoach and Ja’Mariyon Wayne over the offseason, but neither has played significant reps in their young Missouri careers. Marcus Clarke has been a role player since transferring to Mizzou in 2022, and figures to keep that role heading into the new season.

Cameron Keys and Jaren Sensabaugh were big-time recruits for the Tigers’ Class of 2024.

The upside

When Norwood was called upon at times last season, he almost always answered the bell.

Stepping in for Rakestraw or Abrams-Draine was no small feat, but more often than not the Tigers’ secondary didn’t suffer too much with the key reserve on the field. Norwood started in the Cotton Bowl as Mizzou held Ohio State to just three points and 106 passing yards.

And among all of Missouri’s players in spring camp, few earned praise at the level that Norwood did.

“He’s been really attentive,” Pogue said in March. “You can tell he’s in his playbook, he’s getting really comfortable with the scheme. And he’s just letting his natural ability come through and make plays. I think the biggest thing for him is, you know, you can see the confidence. He has the confidence that he can compete in this league.”

Pride, similarly, was one of Missouri’s marquee grabs in the transfer portal. He played 26 games over two seasons for Clemson, hauling in an interception, registering a sack and two tackles for loss and being credited for nine passes defended.

One question or concern

When you look at the options listed above for players available to play the position, you’ll notice a lot of underclassmen.

That’s a legitimate concern — Missouri does not have a lot of high-level experience at cornerback. Pride might go down as one of Missouri’s most important portal additions, as it gave the Tigers at least some elite college football experience.

Mizzou is now relying on one or more of its in-house talents to prove that they’re ready for the rigors of an SEC slate. If injuries do occur, Mizzou can turn to Clarke for a senior option, or it can go to an underclassman.

The good news on this front is that Missouri has done a stellar job developing corners under Pogue. Rakestraw was a three-star recruit out of high school and ended up as an early second-round NFL Draft pick. Abrams-Draine was originally recruited to play wide receiver and was one of the leading corners in the league last year.

Breakout candidate

Pogue said he’s waiting to drop the leash on Warne and let the youngster loose, and he might be forced into just that this season.

Wayne has moved around quite a bit in his Missouri career. Now at corner, and seemingly settled, the coaches seem to like the fit.

“He’s ideal, prototypical from a size-wise,” Pogue said. “You know, big, he’s strong, he’s physical. He’s athletic, man, and more importantly, his competitive character is really high.”

More: Missouri football preseason preview: What Oklahoma will bring when old foes reunite

More: Three transfers who could help define Missouri football’s success in 2024 season

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (WGEM) – Democrats in Missouri are celebrating President Joe Biden’s decision to decline his party’s nomination for 2024.

After a robust message of appreciation to Biden for his unprecedented term, Missouri’s Democratic Party chair Russ Carnahan said discussions about where the state’s organization goes from here is the subject of immediate discussion.

“We have barely over 100 days left to the election, so we don’t have a lot of time to sit around and debate this, “Carnahan said. “[Kamala Harris] literally is in the poll position to do this. She said she wants to earn it.”

In terms of election messaging, gone are the complaints and worries about the Democratic candidate’s age – concerns that now rest solely on the shoulders of former president Donald Trump, who turned 78 last month. Trump will be the oldest presidential nominee in the republic’s history.

“It totally shatters that narrative, and is just a lightning bolt of energy,” Carnahan said.

On Monday, Missouri Democratic Party leaders held a meeting to discuss the organization’s position.

“It’s the first time we formally had a chance to get together as a delegation to talk about it,” Carnahan said prior to the meeting. “There’s been a lot of, you know, individual and small group conversations, but we wanted to get people together right away to have this conversation about how our delegation moves forward – and I’m pretty confident they’re going to want to do just that.”

Down-ballot candidates hope the national shakeup has an impact on voter turnout, even in states which have a strong voting record for Republicans.

“I think it’s a good move,” said Stephen Webber, a former state party chair and candidate for a state senate seat in Boone County. “I think that [Harris] running, is going to bring a lot of excitement and energy to the ticket. 105 days out, we needed some more excitement and energy. I think it’s gonna be a good thing for the Democratic party.”

Other Missouri Democrats weighed in, mostly throwing support behind the presumptive nominee, Harris.

“I think it’s the opportunity to bring a lot of younger voters, excite younger voters,” Seth Jarboe, Acting Chair, Boone County Democratic Party. “I think people are interested in seeing a different type of candidate, not what we’ve seen for the last four or eight years, but somebody different that has the ability to reach out to a wider range of individuals.”

Missouri’s Senate Democratic Leader, Sen. Doug Beck, D-St. Louis, endorsed Harris in a statement posted to social media.

“As a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I am proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be our nominee,” Beck wrote. “Let’s go win!”

Gubernatorial candidate and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, released a statement Monday.

“The stakes of this election could not be higher- for Missouri and our nation,” Quade said. “I’m focused on running a race for Governor that focuses on investing in Missourians, restoring abortion rights, protecting access to birth control and IVF, and making Missouri a place that will thrive. I look forward to sharing the ticket with VP Harris who not only shares those values, but, like myself, has been on the front lines fighting for them.”

Voters decide the next president of the United States on Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 WGEM. All rights reserved.

It’s really difficult to make a statement about what’s a good salary versus what would be considered a bad salary. Everyone has their own idea, but I’d bet that your guess about how much money you’d need to make to be considered middle-class in St. Louis, Missouri would be less than reality.

I saw this report by CNBC which showed the minimum salary you need to be considered middle-class in the 25 largest cities. I was surprised to see St. Louis, Missouri on their list, but not Kansas City. KC does have more population than St. Louis, right? Oh, well…I digress.

They say the minimum salary to be a middle-class citizen in St. Louis, Missouri is $50,000 and the maximum is $149,000. I suppose if you make more than $149,000, you’re rich? Does that allow you to mow yards in Ladue?

St. Louis is a fortunate area compared to the west coast. For example, you’re not middle-class in San Francisco until you’re making $250,000. That’s right. A quarter of a million dollars to be a middle-income earner there. That’s insane.

Back to my original point. Salary and income in general is a very subjective thing. I know many who would LOVE to earn $50,000 per year. That’s rich people money to them. For others, that would be a huge downgrade. It’s all a matter of perspective.