Missouri running back Henry Josey hopes to return to the field for the first time since a devastating 2011 knee injury (Photo: columbiamissourian.com)
DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon
After a successful stretch in the Big 12 that featured three 10-win seasons in five years, Gary Pinkel’s Missouri football team received a rude welcome to the SEC. The Tigers finished the year at 5-7 and won only two of their eight conference matchups. The disappointing finish left Mizzou home for bowl season for the first time since 2004. This year quarterback James Franklin will attempt to rebound from an injury-marred junior season, and junior running back Henry Josey returns to the field for the first time in nearly two years. They, along with super-sophomore Dorial Green-Beckham (who won’t be draft-eligible until after the 2014 season) will need stellar performances to boost the Tigers above mediocrity in the most rugged conference in college football.
James Franklin QB 6’2” 230 – Franklin came to Missouri as a highly touted dual-threat quarterback, and by his sophomore season he seemed to be living up to his billing. He filled up the stat sheet with 2872 yards and 21 touchdowns (versus 11 interceptions) passing, and 981 yards and 15 scores on the ground. Franklin seemed poised for a big junior year, but he was hampered by a shoulder injury to start the 2012 season, and later struggled with a bum knee. His injuries kept him out of three full games and knocked him out of two others. He finished the year with 1562 yards passing, ten touchdowns and seven interceptions, and managed just 122 rushing yards. This past spring and summer, Franklin outdueled sophomore Corbin Berkstresser and redshirt freshman Maty Mauk, and will remain the starter heading into 2013. When healthy, Franklin has a smooth, easy delivery with the arm to go downfield. Despite his running ability, he keeps his head up and looks to pass first. He has to develop some more trust in himself, as he tends to float passes when he tries to be too fine, but if he can regain his 2011 form he will creep back into the public consciousness by the end of the season.
Henry Josey RB* 5’10” 190 – Josey had rushed over 1100 yards by November of his sophomore season before a devastating knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of 2011 and all of 2012. There was some doubt as to whether he would ever play football again, but the junior running back has finally scraped and clawed his way back to the top of the depth chart. In 2011, Josey was averaging a staggering 8.1 yards per carry and had scored nine touchdowns. He had demonstrated terrific open field elusiveness and straight-line speed. If Josey can return to the form he displayed prior to tearing his ACL and MCL, he should at least be able to contribute as a change of pace back and kick returner. After seeing his future flash before his eyes once already, one has to imagine that Josey will consider leaving for the NFL if he puts together a solid season.
Kony Ealy DE* 6’5” 275 – Ealy redshirted his first year on campus in 2010, and spent the year adding bulk to his 230-pound frame. As a redshirt freshman the following season he played a reserve role on defense and recorded one sack among his three tackles for loss. Last season Ealy started ten of the Tigers’ 12 games and finished third on the team with ten tackles for loss. Ealy also recorded 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble on the year. While he is capable of creating pressure, he is not a speed rusher. Ealy spends most of his time on the left side. He has bulked up to over 270 pounds and has long arms – more suited for a role as a five-technique defensive end in the pro ranks. Ealy is a high effort player capable of getting pressure with his strength and inside pass rush moves, but perhaps his best trait is his ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. Even when he cannot get to the quarterback, Ealy gets his hands up and leaps high to disrupt passing lanes. He broke up eight passes a year ago, including three in one game against Florida. Ealy has been a standout in camp and will be relied upon heavily this season. His athleticism will pique the interests of a number of NFL teams, and a strong junior season could propel him into the draft as an early entry.
E.J. Gaines CB 5’9” 195 – Gaines saw action on defense and special teams as a freshman and finished the year with 26 tackles. As a sophomore he became a full-time starter and tallied 69 tackles, three interceptions and 16 pass breakups. Gaines also returned a punt 44 yards for a touchdown in a blowout win over Western Illinois. Following the year he was named First Team All Big 12. Last season, Gaines finished fourth on the team with 74 tackles, and led the Tigers with 11 pass breakups. He made seven tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass in the season finale against Texas A&M. Gaines is an aggressive corner who is clearly not afraid to help in run defense despite his lack of size. He displays good instincts in coverage and plays the ball well in the air. Gaines’ lack of height will rule him out as a boundary corner in the eyes of many NFL personnel types, but his toughness, speed and athleticism will still make him appealing as a nickel defender. Despite his positive traits, Gaines’ size may ultimately keep him from being selected until the middle-to-later stages of Day Three of the draft.
Also keep an eye on: Michael Sam DE 6’3” 255, Andrew Wilson ILB 6’2” 235, Justin Britt OT 6’6” 315, Matt White S 6’0” 195, Eric Waters TE 6’4” 245, L’Damian Washington WR 6’4” 205, Marcus Lucas WR 6’4” 220