Barry Odom effusive in praise for young Missouri receivers Johnson and Hall

Here are today's Mizzou Links.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Aug 30, 2016, 4:51am CDT

What's On

Everybody shut up. Barry Odom is talking.

I'm also talking, but you don't have to shut up for that.

4 days to WVU

MUtigers.com: #Mizzou Media Day

.@Coach_Odom #MIZ #ToughnessWins #ShowMe pic.twitter.com/6LgRSJqI7b
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) August 29, 2016

The Trib (Blake Toppmeyer): Barry Odom meets the press: Week 1

Two particularly interesting tidbits from Blake's piece:

If the season started today, Odom said McCann would handle kickoffs but it might be a game-day decision whether McCann or Turner Adams would handle field goals.

Guess that battle's not over just yet.

It might be hard to distinguish between when Missouri is playing 4-3 vs. Nickel. Odom said strongside linebacker Donavin Newsom also is the team's top option at nickelback.

Very interesting. And kind of exciting. I like the backup safeties and figured one of them could handle a nickel role pretty easily, but ... if the staff is right in entrusting Newsom in this type of role, he could have a pretty exciting, diverse year.

KC Star: Mizzou relishes underdog role as Barry Odom era begins

PowerMizzou: NOTEBOOK: Odom Era set to kick-off against West Virginia

Emanuel Hall's inclusion as a co-starter came as somewhat of a surprise. The sophomore receiver was highly regarded coming in as a freshman, but he injured his hamstring before the first scrimmage this preseason and was at least limited for the remainder of it.

However, Odom said he was pleased with the work Hall did during that time.

"Number one, he's a smart kid that even though he was out a couple practices, he was able to mentally get a lot of reps," Odom said. "He's picked up the offensive structure and the scheme and everyday that he's been out, however many mental reps that he's gotten, he didn't miss a beat once he got back in. So that's exciting and promising to see.

"And he did a million and one ball drills over on the side when he wasn't running routes."

KC Star: Depth-chart dive: Dissecting Missouri’s first two-deep roster

Perhaps the most effusive praise Odom offered Monday during his game-week news conference was directed toward redshirt freshman slot receiver Johnathon Johnson.

"If you look at all 105 guys we had in camp, I like them all, but I may be most excited about Johnathon Johnson," Odom said. "He’s grown up … and his maturity is at a different level than where it was last year and even in spring ball. He’s embraced the opportunity to go compete every day and has become a guy you count on to be a playmaker."

More depth chart reactions

Post-Dispatch: Lock secures Mizzou QB job — for now

Where does that leave Marvin Zanders? The redshirt sophomore challenged Lock for the starting duties during spring practices and preseason camp, to the point where last Thursday Odom wasn’t ready to declare the competition over. Odom hinted that Zanders will see the field in some capacity Saturday and beyond. He’s never used the terms "quarterback rotation" or "two-quarterback system" but hasn’t ruled out a role for Zanders.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s the quarterback spot or the backup left guard, if we feel like they’re practicing well enough to help us win a game they’re going to play," Odom said. "Marvin has proved himself that he’s going to help us win football games. I’m excited about the different ways both quarterbacks can efficiently run the offense."

Post-Dispatch: Mizzou notes: Harold's leap of faith pays off at Mizzou

The Missourian: Missouri defensive lineman Tre Williams learning from 'big brother' Charles Harris

KC Star: Missouri notes: Sophomore Drew Lock claims starting quarterback job