Brady Cook piles praise on Missouri defensive ends

Missouri is eyeing a big 2024 season, with hopes for contention in the SEC and a College Football Playoff berth in the 12-team era. And starting quarterback Brady Cook is bullish on one key position group.

That group would be the Missouri defensive ends, who Cook raved about at the Manning Passing Academy earlier this summer. A specific trio has stood out to cook, including two new faces via the transfer portal.

“I want to talk about our three [defensive] ends,” Cook said. “Johnny Walker Jr., he’s been on Mizzou, he came in with me. He’s a leader on that side, won the MVP in the Cotton Bowl on the defensive side. We’ve got Darris Smith, transfer from Georgia. I mean, he can do it all. Freaky athlete. He caused some serious issues in spring and then Zion Young, transfer from Michigan State, absolute dog.

Walker finally played a fully slate for the Tigers for the first time in 2024, recording 13.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks, in 13 games.

Smith and Young are less-proven quantities, but both have promise as potential game-altering presences rushing the quarterback and defending the run.

And the assembly of talent has Cook excited to watch what the defense can do for Missouri.

“So those three guys, I’m really excited about,” Cook said.

Cook knows the expectations for Missouri are high as ever

A popular sleeper pick in the SEC this season is Missouri. Not just because of the schedule the Tigers will face, appearing to be on the lighter side on paper but also the job Eli Drinkwitz has done with the program. Missouri has a talented roster, building through both recruiting and the NCAA transfer portal.

After winning 11 games in 2023, expectations have never been higher for Mizzou. Cook embraces having those expectations, saying it’s something they have worked for. Cook is hopeful he can deliver in a big way this season — in what will be his final year of college football.

“The standard and expectation is at an all-time high for our team, for the program,” Cook said. “But that’s what we want. That’s what we wished for, that’s why we played so hard last year. I’m just glad I get the opportunity to come back for one more.”

Depending on who you ask, three or four teams are in the top level of the SEC in the preseason. Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas are receiving a ton of hype while Alabama is up there for some with Kalen DeBoer taking over for Nick Saban.

Missouri will face just one of those teams, traveling to Tuscaloosa in late October. An early road trip to College Station should give us a good idea of where the Tigers stand, while facing Oklahoma could rekindle an old Big 8/Big 12 rivalry.

And if a run is going to be made, Cook is going to play a big role. Last season saw the Missouri quarterback have career highs all across the board, throwing for 3,317 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Cook has four years of experience under his belt but due to COVID-19 eligibility rules, he is able to play one more year.

Having arguably the best wide receiver in college football, Luther Burden, certainly helps the cause too. Belief in the offense alone is sky-high because of the Cook-Burden combination.