Missouri loses Nate Howard and Malik Young from defensive line

Neither Malik Young nor Nate Howard will be playing for the Missouri Tigers in 2017.

It was announced after practice today that Young (6’3, 280), an All-American at Eastern Arizona College, would not be able to play for the Tigers due to an SEC rule conflicting with his eligibility. Young’s teammate, Walter Palmore (6’4, 300), was ruled eligible last week after the NCAA clearinghouse reviewed his academic qualifications.

Tod Palmer at the KC Star speculates that Young could be headed back to the west coast.

In related news, junior defensive end Nate Howard was dismissed from the team today following a second arrest, this time for failure to appear in court for a speeding ticket. The second incident comes after Howard was arrested in early June on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and suspicion of marijuana possession.

Howard announced on twitter his departure, “Once a Tiger Always a Tiger, farewell Mizzou Nation.”

The junior from St. Louis was a late flip from Wisconsin to Missouri before National Signing Day in 2015. He played parts of two seasons and could have two years of eligibility remaining elsewhere.

@MizzouShowMe

Missouri’s depth at the defensive tackle consists of senior AJ Logan, juniors Terry Beckner Jr., Palmore, and recently cleared JUCO transfer Rashad Brandon, sophomores Markell Utsey and Tyrell Jacobs, and freshmen Kobie Whiteside, Caleb Sampson, and Akial Byers.

At defensive end: seniors Marcell Frazier and Jordan Harold, JUCO transfer Nate Anderson, sophomore converted linebacker Franklin Agbasimere, redshirt freshman Tre Williams, and true freshman Chris Turner, whom Odom reportedly expects to play this year.