Maty Mauk may have been more injured than we realized last year

What's On

ESPN's Maria Taylor talks with Gary Pinkel about taking "The Next Step."

Beasts of the (SEC) East

Dennis Dodd's "Mysterious Mizzou: Why would Tigers' SEC East dominance stop now?" mentioned something notable about Maty Mauk playing through injury last year.

Maty Mauk took the needle -- several times -- last season. Toward the end of 2014, his separated right shoulder ached so much, "Ibuprofen and Aleve became my best friend," Mauk said.

"Yeah, there were some sloppy games last year but not a lot of people had a separated shoulder and were taking a shot before the game and at halftime," he said. "To me, it's going to be a night and day difference."

PowerMizzou.com - Camp Preview: QB

PowerMizzou.com - Camp Preview: RB

PowerMizzou.com - Camp Preview: TE

And here's Dave Matter again asking, who will catch passes for Mizzou?

As for the freshmen, senior cornerback Kenya Dennis said he’s been most impressed with Johnson, the slippery slot man from Memphis. Hall, another Tennessee product, could be the most polished of the group and physically prepared for the SEC. A couple of the rookies could be in line for playing time with productive camps.

Running Backs Galore

Perhaps you heard the good news? Four-star running back Chase Abbington will reportedly enroll this week, just in time for fall camp next week.

RB Abbington cleared to enroll at MU - Columbia Daily Tribune | David Morrison

Abbington cleared to join Mizzou's football team : Dave Matter

Dave Matter back in February: "Abbington could spark Mizzou."

To get through two years of junior college, Abbington drew strength from Missouri defensive end Markus Golden, who required the same detour through Hutchinson before arriving at MU in 2012. The two talk at least once a week, Abbington said.

Abbington will have three years to play three at Mizzou and will join a talented backfield led by 1,000 yard senior Russell Hansbrough. Speaking of which, ESPN ranked the SEC's top rushers, Russell Hansbrough came in No. 4, ahead of both Arkansas backs Alex Collins and Johnathan Williams and Tennessee's Jalen Hurd.

The SEC is loaded with at least two potential Heisman caliber running backs in LSU's Leonard Fournette and Georgia's Nick Chubb. ESPN's video "Year of the Running back" takes a closer look.

Side note, at least a few guys on the team have bought in on "Muscle Mansbrough". Here's TE Jason Reese embracing the nickname:

@imthatnike wow so uncharacteristic of muscle mansbrough

— Jason (@TheJasonReese) July 18, 2015

Release the Kreklow

MUTIGERS.COM Former Mizzou Standout Kreklow Sets Team USA to World Championship

Former Mizzou standout Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) guided Team USA to a Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World Grand Prix Championship and a perfect 5-0 record over the week-long event in Omaha, concluding on Sunday with a 3-0 win over China. Kreklow, the second Mizzou setter to play with the US National Team, was named the Grand Prixs Most Outstanding Setter, a high bestowment at one of the worlds most renowned volleyball tournaments, featuring the top five teams globally.

Molly Kreklow earns all-tournament selection at FIVB Grand Prix - Columbia Daily Tribune | Blake Toppmeyer