Missouri

Who will be Missouri football’s defensive MVP in 2024 season? Here are three candidates

Published

1 year ago

June 6, 2024

Who will be Missouri football’s defensive MVP in 2024 season? Here are three candidates

The defense looks a little different in Columbia from this time last year.

Missouri football enters the 2024 season with a realistic opportunity to make the expanded College Football Playoff. BetMGM has the over/under for the Tigers’ win total next season at 9.5. If Eli Drinkwitz’s team can hit double-digit regular-season wins for the second year running, they’d be firmly in the conversation for a berth to the 12-team playoff.

With a schedule that seemingly sets up favorably, MU has some questions to answer, mostly based on the unfamiliarity on one side of the ball.

More: Who will be Missouri football’s toughest opponent on 2024 schedule? Ranking all 12

Mizzou lost five starting members of its 11-2, Cotton Bowl-winning defense to the NFL Draft. Five more players, combining starters or key reserves, were either picked up as undrafted free agents or exhausted their collegiate eligibility.

Corey Batoon was hired as the MU’s next defensive coordinator, replacing Blake Baker, who left Columbia for the same role at LSU. Missouri is expected to run the same 4-2-5 base formation, providing an element of consistency, but the finer details of Batoon’s scheme haven’t been battle-tested in black and gold.

So, who will lead the defense in 2024?

Here are three candidates — two returners, one newcomer — who could be the Tigers’ Defensive MVP in the 2024 season:

Johnny Walker Jr., defensive end

The Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP has the floor.

Walker had a breakout 2023 season, staying the course behind past starters for three seasons before taking his opportunity when it was presented last fall. He finished the campaign with 43.5 total tackles, 9.5 of which were for loss and five for sacks. He forced three fumbles, led the team with nine QB hurries and was a force as MU held Ohio State to 3 points for a New Year’s Six Bowl win.

Walker shapes up to be Missouri’s premier pass rusher under Batoon. With quarterbacks like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold, Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman and Auburn’s Payton Thorne on the schedule in what look likely to be swing games, that’s going to be an essential role in MU’s CFP chase.

Mizzou lost that player in Darius Robinson, who was a first-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in April. The standard now turns to Walker.

“Something that (Walker) communicated to me when I met with him one-on-one when I first got here was the fact that he looked up to (Robinson) when he was here,” new Missouri defensive ends coach Brian Early said in March. “I think D-Rob was the alpha in this room, and that person is gone and someone else has to move into that role.

“So, those standards that have been set here and upheld by players in the past like D-Rob — it’s Johnny’s turn now.”

More: Ranking opposing quarterbacks on Missouri football’s 2024 schedule

Daylan Carnell, star safety

In a secondary that looks a little different from last season, Carnell is a welcome constant.

The star safety has improved each of the past two seasons, first carving out a role alongside starter Martez Manuel in 2022, when he registered three interceptions on the season, and then earning the starting job in 2023. Carnell finished last season with 51 total tackles, eight for loss and three sacks. He forced two fumbles and was second on the MU roster with eight pass breakups.

Mizzou lost both of its starting cornerbacks to the NFL. The Tigers return Joseph Charleston with plenty of experience at safety, where he’ll partner up with promising sophomore Marvin Burks Jr., who replaces Indianapolis Colts-bound JC Carlies.

More: Recruiting snapshot: Eight Class of 2025 recruits who will visit Missouri football this month

Carnell is a steady hand in the hybrid safety/linebacker role that seems to fit his strengths so well. He hurried Ohio State’s quarterbacks a game-leading three times in the Cotton Bowl. Few MU fans will soon forget his pick-six against Tennessee that put the result beyond any doubt.

Another good season as the Tigers’ starter, and Carnell is likely to start picking up some serious draft chatter.

Toriano Pride Jr., cornerback

You could have picked any number of the nine new transfers to the Missouri defense as the newcomer who could have the most immediate impact. Defensive ends Zion Young and Darris Smith, defensive tackle Chris McClellan and linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. all figure to immediately jump into important roles.

More: How Toriano Pride has made case to start in Missouri football’s secondary

But Pride, a Clemson transfer and East St. Louis product, might be the cog Missouri needs to hit the ground running most.

One: Because the experience around him in the cornerbacks room is somewhat thin.

Returner and Cotton Bowl starter Drey Norwood has put together a spring camp that earned plenty of plaudits from the MU coaching staff. Marcus Clarke is back for his third season in Columbia but has spent all of the past two campaigns as a backup. Behind them, there’s a promising group of underclassmen but scant in-game reps.

With Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine off to the league with Detroit and Denver, respectively, there’s a lot of production to fill. Pride played 26 times for Clemson over two seasons, registering nine pass breakups, an interception and 30 solo tackles.

Two: Missouri needs Pride to impress quickly because it comes up against some top-of-the-line receivers.

From Oklahoma returner Nic Anderson to Auburn freshman Cam Coleman to Mississippi State newcomer Kelly Akharaiyi to Alabama transfer Germie Bernard, Mizzou won’t get much of a breather once the SEC slate kicks in.

Pride is almost certainly going to pair with Norwood in the starting lineup. If he hits the ground running, that’ll answer a big — perhaps the biggest — question facing the Missouri defense.

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Missouri

Two-day trial reveals inner workings of Missouri private school voucher program

Published

30 minutes ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

Two-day trial reveals inner workings of Missouri private school voucher program

More than 98% of scholarships administered by the MOScholars program this school year are funded by Missouri taxpayers. And though there are strict eligibility requirements for private-school scholarships, eligibility isn’t checked after the initial scholarship is awarded or for siblings of students who received a scholarship. The revelations about the inner workings of Missouri’s private […]

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Missouri

Missouri sports betting: Everything to know about early sign-up promos and more for 12/1

Published

19 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Missourians are counting down the days to Dec. 1, and it’s not just because they’re looking forward to putting up Christmas trees and playing Mariah Carey on repeat. Missouri online sports betting will be legal on Dec. 1, just in time for the end of the NFL regular season and the College Football Playoff.

Nine mobile sportsbooks are coming to the Show Me State, and that number could reach as high as 14 after sports betting goes live. Some sportsbooks are offering exclusive offers to Missourians who sign up now rather than waiting until Dec. 1. Below, I break down everything you need to know about Missouri sports betting.

Which Missouri sportsbooks will be taking bets at midnight on December 1?

Missouri residents can take their action to nine sportsbooks when wagering markets open on Dec. 1. I recommend joining a few sites and making minimum deposits with each operator. That way, you can get the welcome offers and see which sportsbooks you prefer.

If you go car shopping, do you buy the first car you test drive? Probably not. The same applies to MO sports betting. Here are the sportsbooks that will soon call Missouri home:

BetMGM
DraftKings
Fanatics Sportsbook
FanDuel
bet365
Caesars Sportsbook
Circa Sports
theScore Bet
Underdog

Missouri sports betting early sign-up promos

Some sportsbooks are offering special promos for customers who open an account before Dec. 1. These deals are likely to be better than what will be available on Dec. 1, so it’s worth your time to check them out.

For now, Missouri bettors can create sportsbook accounts and make deposits. That’s all you need to do to claim the MO sports betting early sign-up promos. If you sign up early, you still have to wait until Dec. 1 to place bets. Here’s what’s available to those who want to get a head start:

NOTE: The offers listed below must be claimed before midnight CT on Dec. 1. Sign up today to ensure you don’t forget to register before the deadline.

FanDuel Missouri promo: Claim $400 in bonuses

No FanDuel Missouri promo code is required to claim my favorite MO early sign-up offer. New customers just need to open an account and deposit $5. When the calendar flips to December, place a $5 bet and you’ll automatically receive $300 in bonuses.

FanDuel Missouri also sends a $100 bonus if you sign up early. No action is required to receive the $100 bonus, except to register a new account before Dec. 1.

DraftKings Missouri promo: Get $300 in bonus bets

A DraftKings Missouri promo code isn’t necessary to get an outstanding welcome offer from one of the best sportsbooks in the industry. Create an account today and deposit $5. Then, bet $5 on Dec. 1 to instantly receive $300 in bonuses.

The DraftKings Missouri promo is nearly identical to the FanDuel offer. The difference is that FanDuel provides an extra $100 bonus just for signing up. However, DraftKings is a top option for bettors across the U.S., so don’t bypass the DraftKings MO promo because it’s less valuable.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL: Up to $1,600 in bonuses

High rollers will appreciate the perks of the BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL. It starts with a $100 bonus if you deposit $10 before Dec. 1.

When Missouri sports betting goes live, submit a wager on any market that catches your eye. If the wager loses, BetMGM returns your stake in bonuses. The most you can receive from this portion of the offer is $1,500 in bonuses.

For instance, let’s say you sign up early and bet $100 on Dec. 1. If the bet loses, BetMGM sends a $100 bonus so you can try again.

Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo: Up to $3,000 in FanCash

You don’t need a Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo code to redeem the most valuable offer of the bunch. In total, Missouri bettors could earn up to $3,000 in FanCash. This offer is more complicated than the rest, so I’ll break it down step-by-step:

Click the Fanatics link above to download the Fanatics app (Fanatics Sportsbook is only available through the app).
Register a new account.
Deposit $50 or more before Dec. 1.
Open the Fanatics app on Dec. 1 to find 15 no-sweat bets in your account.
When a no-sweat bet is applied to a wager, the stake is returned in FanCash if you lose.
Each no-sweat bet returns up to $200 in FanCash.

FanCash is more valuable than the bonuses offered by FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. FanCash can be redeemed for bonuses or profit boosts. It can also be used as a credit if you buy gear at Fanatics.com.

How to bet on sports in Missouri on Dec. 1

It doesn’t take long to learn the ins and outs of sports betting. However, it may be overwhelming for first-timers. Here are some important terms to know before diving in:

Bonuses: Also known as bonus bets, bonuses are a credit given out by sportsbooks. They can only be used to place wagers and are not withdrawable for cash. If you bet with a bonus and win, you get a cash payout. If you bet with a bonus and lose, you don’t lose real money. Bonuses are a great tool for new sports bettors trying to learn the ropes.
Moneyline: This is the most straightforward bet type at every sportsbook. It requires you to pick which team wins a game. If your team comes out on top, you win the bet. Easy as that.
Spread: This bet type evens the playing field between two teams. For example, the spread in Colts vs. Chiefs is Chiefs -3. If you bet Kansas City to cover the spread, it must win the game by four points or more. If K.C. loses or wins by two points or less, you lose the bet. If the Chiefs win by exactly three points, bets are voided and customers get the stake back.
Over/under: Also known as the total, the over/under asks you to predict the number of points scored in a game. In Colts vs. Chiefs, the total is 50.5. If you take the over, at least 51 points must be scored for your bet to win. If you bet on the under, you need 50 points or fewer to win the bet.
Player props: The bet types listed above involve the performance of each team in a game, while player props relate to the statistical performance of specific players. You could bet Patrick Mahomes to throw over or under 1.5 touchdowns, or Travis Kelce to catch more or less than five passes.

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Missouri

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge heard arguments Monday in the first day of a two-day bench trial over a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of general revenue funds being used for scholarships to help pay for private K-12 education.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), was filed in response to appropriations made in House Bill 12. The spending measure included $51 million allocated to the MO Scholars program.

“Missouri NEA firmly believes that this is an unconstitutional action on behalf of the state and the (Missouri) Treasurer’s Office,” Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said outside of the courthouse. “Public money belongs in public schools, and this money could be used to fund up to a thousand public school teachers for smaller classes and one-on-one instruction.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM MISSOURI NEA

Among remedies being sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt any additional funds from being transferred from general revenue to the MO Scholars program.

The bench trial resumes Tuesday, and it’s not clear when Judge Brian Stumpe will make a ruling on the matter. Most judgements in Missouri aren’t bound by a set timeline for when decisions have to be made.

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