Missouri’s defense hasn’t undergone any radical changes since Dave Steckel took over as coordinator last month, but the emergence of one player has given the Tigers some flexibility in one area: Gachkar’s move from weakside linebacker to strongside allows the defense to stay in a 4-3 look against some spread formations rather than employ a nickel package, like MU did on most downs the last few years. Gachkar, a high school safety, has the speed and quickness to drop back into passing lanes and cover slot receivers, a job MU has historically handed to a third defensive back rather than a third linebacker.

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"It’s definitely different from what I did last year," said Gachkar, who was Weatherspoon’s backup on the weak side last season. "That position demands a lot more flow to the run game, but at SAM you’ve got to play the passing lanes. … I feel like that’s part of my game, to use my athleticism, but I’ll play whereever they want me, to be honest."