As we put a wrap on the roller coaster ride of a rebuilding season in 2009, I've decided to ask for the community's help in fashioning the 2009 Mizzou All-Season Team. Just like I did in 2007 before the Cotton Bowl, putting together the All-Season Team will help recognize the top performances of the season at each position this past year.
Today, we find one a performance to join the All-Season Team at the safety spot opposite Jasper Simmons. As always, feel free to nominate other performances in the comments. Nominees after the jump.
NOMINEES (in chronological order):
- Kenji Jackson vs. Illinois: I made it no secret in the offseason that I had high expectations for Jackson coming into 2009, and regardless of whether or not he had met those expectations by season's end, Jackson started the 2009 campaign with a respectable showing against the Illini.
THE LINE: 6 tackles (4 unassisted)
- Jarrell Harrison vs. Nevada: Harrison didn't even play in Missouri's first two games and only put up three tackles in his debut against Furman, but he was arguably at his best in Week 4, when Missouri was able to contain Colin Kaepernick and Co. for most of the evening. Harrison found himself starting by the time Missouri's next game kicked off.
THE LINE: 7 tackles (4 unassisted)
- Kenji Jackson vs. Oklahoma State: Jackson was solid in run support (once dropping Keith Toston for no gain and tackling Zac Robinson for a three-yard loss), but he also found himself playing the much less fun "last line of defense" role. Two of Jackson's tackles came on passing plays of 20-plus yards.
THE LINE: 6 tackles (5 unassisted), 1 tackle for loss
- Jarrell Harrison vs. Kansas State: Missouri only came up with eight interceptions all season, so any performance involving a pick seems to stand out. Harrison's pick of Grant Gregory was an absolute dagger.
THE LINE: 5 tackles (all unassisted), 1 interception (27-yard return)
- Jarrell Harrison vs. Navy: The Texas Bowl performance gets a courtesy nod here. It wasn't a flawless performance by any stretch of the imagination, but Harrison seemed more adept at containing the Navy flexbacks on the edge than his counterparts in the defensive secondary.
THE LINE: 6 tackles (5 unassisted), 1 pass broken up