2014 Missouri Walkthrough: Beisel and Burkett wait their turn

Eric Beisel

6'3, 235, RSFr.

Bill C.: Both Eric Beisel and Joey Burkett were high priorities for the Mizzou staff in the 2013 recruiting class, and it's not hard to see why. Both have tremendous physical attributes -- Beisel with his size and Andrew Wilson-esque hitting ability, Burkett with his speed and potential as WLB/nickel back type -- and both seem to be coming along pretty well. In theory, we hope not to see either of these guys very much this year; if Mike Scherer and Donavin Newsom work out as planned, the starting lineup is set. But if either or both wanted to play well in garbage time, do nice things on special teams, and position themselves for a key role in 2015 or 2016, I wouldn't complain.

The linebacker unit is one that could be incredibly crowded for years if some of the young players with promise live up to said promise. I'm all for having that "problem."

countrycal: Eric is one of several young linebackers with great promise on the Tiger bench. Though only a redshirt freshman with no game experience, Eric is already listed as second on the depth chart at middle linebacker behind sophomore Michael Scherer. The more I look at this group of young linebackers, the more excited I get about the possibilities of our defense in the coming years.

AlaTiger: There is a lot of potential in the LB corps. Some of it needs to be realized this year.

The Beef: Yep, this young man certainly looks the part. Now, whether or not he can play the part probably needs to start getting proven out this season. Looking at the depth chart, I was surprised just now to see that Beisel and Scherer are listed at the exact same size. That is odd to me because I perceive Beisel to be a good 10-15 pounds bigger. Sitting behind a presumptive starter who is a sophomore may mean it could be tough for "Zeus" to see the field much, but I am interested to see how he looks when he does get out there.

wooderson: i slice beer

Joey Burkett

6'2, 205, RSFr.

countrycal: Redshirt freshman Joey Burkett is the lightest of the three-deep linebackers coming in at 205 pounds. His performance in the spring, however, earned him the second spot on the depth chart at weakside linebacker going into the fall. Burkett and Beisel have been praised as being equally promising as the two sophomores ahead of them. Ruise may well get back into the hunt during fall practice, but it would seem Burkett has shown enough already to get his share of playing time rotation.

The Beef: Sitting ahead of Ruise, it will be interesting to see how long he can hold him off. I recall Burkett being a top-end pole vaulter from high school, and I was always interested in seeing how those skills (footspeed, upperbody strength, um ... other pole-vaulty things) would translate to the LB position. I would assume Burkett is working towards a spot with the various special teams groups as he tries to see the field more in years to come.

wooderson: turbojet key, buttery joke