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Fall Camp Day 3: New bigger backs Crockett and Ross are impressing coaches

From Damarea Crockett and Alex Ross' size to the QB's hair. News and notes from day three of fall camp

Missouri running back Alex Ross
Missouri running back Alex Ross
Oscar Gamble

Let’s run through day three of fall camp.

Everyone seem really high on freshman Damarea Crockett (here's his commitment profile). The Rock M Nation staff is pretty high on Crockett-Rockett in our walkthroughs. Michael Scherer told Dave Matter he has "breakaway speed". Barry Odom said he has "a different gear" and running back coach Cornell Ford said "he's a legit 225 pounds".

Ford went on to say he was "even bigger" than fellow newcomer Alex Ross, the grad transfer from Oklahoma. Tod Palmer talked to offensive coordinator Josh Heupel about Ross here,

Heupel was Oklahoma’s co-offensive coordinator for the first three seasons of Ross’ career there, including a redshirt campaign in 2012.

"He’s got a unique skill set compared to the guys that were here on campus already just in physical size," Heupel said. "He’s a different pace of back than a 5-(foot)-9 guy — not better or worse, just a different pace of back."

Odom has a new take on how captains are named, basically that title - much like every position - is an open competition with the new staff. I will say I saw defensive end Marcell Frazier leading stretches today, along with Sean Culkin who is probably the surest bet for one spot.

Perhaps you heard that Nate Crawford decided to medically retire. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee spoke a bit about the position group after practice Saturday. I asked him about who's stepping up and taking over leadership for a very young group, check out his answers to that and more in the video below:

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This is a bit of old news, but it's still pretty great. Eric Laurent started as walk-on QB but now he's on scholarship and running with the 1s and 2s at receiver.

Your official MU Tigers recap glows about Missouri's QB-WR connection.

A Dominic Collins 60-yard TD grab on a perfectly thrown deep ball by QB Jack Lowary highlighted 7-on-7 and set the tone for a high-energy 11-on-11. Sophomore QB Drew Lock connected on a pair of big gains to open 11-on-11, first with WR Chris Black who went up and hauled in a jump ball over S Anthony Sherrils. WR Justin Smith then hauled in a perfect pass from Lock on the right sideline on the next play as the offense was rolling early in 11-on-11.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Marvin Zanders interviewed freshman Micah Wilson. Nevermind Wilson's love of Mel Gibson, he definitely has better hair than Drew Lock.

Bren Frederickson says the SEC East is ripe for Drew Lock's emergence, largely because he stuck with Missouri after a bad freshman year.

Lock didn't complain. He didn't transfer. He stuck with Mizzou through its struggles and subsequent coaching change. He should start to see the rewards this year.

:prayer hands emoji: Hopefully!

Now a quick rundown of other news:

Missouri basketball hired an assistant coach that I know diddly squat about. He didn't get to make the Italy trip though.

Missouri's Title IX office found no violations in their investigation of softball coach Ehren Earleywine, but then you  probably already knew that if you read Rock M (or follow us on twitter #sources).

Rey Estes, the QB and close friend of elite receiver Jeff Thomas, told the Maneater he'll finalize his college decision this week. Estes is currently committed to PJ Fleck's Western Michigan Broncos. Jeff Thomas was at Illinois' training camp yesterday.

New interim AD Sarah Reesman touts her familiarity with the current staff as a plus in this interview with the Tribune's Blake Toppmeyer. Missouri also brought Brian Brown in as Assistant Athletic Director for the Mizzou Made program - a position created by Mack Rhoades. The Mizzou Track and Field program hired one of its own with the addition of two-time U.S. Olympian and six-time Mizzou All-American Natasha Brown.

The important thing here is that we all recognize who walked away from the rivalry.