In a preseason that has focused on experienced veterans and seasoned rookies, some young players are also attracting attention.

Missouri’s 2024 football season opener is just around the corner. It will take place on Thursday, August 29, against Murray State at Faurot Field in Columbia. Behind the scenes, some true freshmen are earning the applause of their peers and mentors.

“I mean, there are freshmen in every area of ​​the game, offense, defense, special teams,” Missouri tight end Tyler Stephens said Thursday. “And I think those guys have to understand that they’re needed. Every single player is needed. Whether you’re a first-year or a fifth-year, there’s going to be an opportunity to play.”

Mizzou has signed 21 players for the Class of 2024, a recruiting cycle that brought one five-star prospect, seven four-stars and 13 three-stars to Columbia, ranked as the No. 20 signing class in the country by recruiting service 247Sports.

But how many of these newcomers will Missouri fans realistically see in their first year when the Tigers close the curtain on the new season?

Because reporters have limited practice sessions available to them, and the time available consists largely of individual and positional drills, the system for attempting to judge how much playing time each player is likely to earn from practice alone is imperfect.

Based on best judgment, positional needs and comments from players and coaches throughout fall camp, here are the Missouri freshmen most likely to be redshirts in the 2024 season:

More: Missouri Football’s First Offensive Depth Chart Prediction for 2024

Has Cameron Keys proven himself as a rotational cornerback for the Missouri football team?

When you lose both of your core players at one position in the same NFL Draft, there is obviously going to be some upheaval.

With Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. no longer manning the cornerback positions at Mizzou, true freshman Cameron Keys – a three-star signee from Panama City, Florida – appears to have a good chance of getting some action early in his career at Mizzou.

“Cam Keys has done a good job. He’s very physical,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said on August 3. … “When we put the pads on him, he already knew what to expect and how physical he would have to play.”

The Tigers appear to be banking on depth with Dreyden Norwood and Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. as starters. Veteran backup Marcus Clarke will likely maintain his role as a rotation player and redshirt freshman Nicholas DeLoach has been seen with the Tigers’ first team in training camp.

Keys, whose height is listed at 6’0″ and weight, could be next as he has more punching power than his listed weight suggests.

“He’s physically strong and not afraid to put his head in the box,” wide receiver Mookie Cooper said. … “He’s just not afraid to put his head in the box and make contact with a receiver. You just don’t see that very often with rookies, especially at his size.”

Demand for Williams Nwaneri could increase after injury

Most people would first pick five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri, who is most likely to get playing time as a rookie.

More: Here’s the direction Missouri football could go after EDGE Darris Smith’s season-ending injury

The Mizzou staff has no plans to put the Lee’s Summit North graduate on the field and has tried to temper unreasonable expectations for the top-10 recruit, but a season-ending injury to Darris Smith in training camp could hasten his journey to the field.

“It’s important for us not to put too many expectations on him,” Drinkwitz said at the start of fall camp. “He just has to learn how we work on a day-to-day basis, and if he has the opportunity, he’ll take it.”

Despite Smith’s injury, the Tigers can still fit Nwaneri in the lineup. Johnny Walker Jr., Zion Young, Joe Moore III, Eddie Kelly and Jakhai Lang all appear capable of contributing.

But it would be a surprise if Nwaneri did not help to carry this burden at some point.

Candidates for the special teams Trajan Greco and Jeremiah Beasley

It’s a tough road for Missouri football’s young safeties to play defense, as they produce more power there than at any other position on defense. At the linebacker position, MU appears to have its two-deep sorted out with the return of its Cotton Bowl starters and gaining experience in the portal.

However, safety Trajan Greco and linebacker Jeremiah Beasley could still play an important role this season by stepping in as representatives for the coverage unit.

“Trajan Greco is a guy that really stands out,” Drinkwitz said Saturday. “Jeremiah Beasley has really stood out as a guy that can find a role, whether it’s on special teams, so that’s been good.”

More: Mizzou football team’s first defensive depth chart prediction for 2024

Will Mizzou’s blue-chip WRs play?

Four-star wide receivers James Madison II and Courtney Crutchfield have both flashed in training camp. Crutchfield made a one-handed catch during 1-on-1 drills Tuesday at Faurot Field, making it one of the most impressive plays of the day. Madison’s 6-foot-3 frame in particular makes him an intriguing option.

However, due to the large number of players in front of them, attacks will be sparse.

The Tigers do not have a committed punt returner at this point in training camp, although Drinkwitz said Saturday that the team has a “pretty clear idea” of who the two best players will be in that regard this season. The coach added that six wide receivers are in play at the position: Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., Marquis Johnson, Daniel Blood and two true freshmen Crutchfield and Madison.

This article originally appeared on the Columbia Daily Tribune: These Missouri football newcomers could be rookies in 2024