Eli Drinkwitz 100 percent certain Missouri will be 'really good' on defense

Eli Drinkwitz isn’t shying away from his confidence regarding how good he believes Missouri can be on defense in 2023.

Joining the SEC Network crew, Drinkwitz was asked what one thing he’s 100% certain of prior to the Tigers season, and he chose to focus on the defensive side of the football.

“We’re going to be really good on defense,” responded Drinkwitz. “You know, we returned our entire defensive staff. With continuity, I think in this day and age in college football, that’s really good. We returned nine starters on defense. We’ve got four guys that had over 100 tackles. Both our linebackers, Chad Bailey and Ty’Ron Hopper, both have over 100 career tackles and 10.0 sacks combined. Our two safeties, Jaylon Carlies and Joseph Charleston, both have over career 100 tackles. Our two corners, Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are both returning starters, and have played a ton of football in the SEC. Our third corner is Dreyden Norwood, who played quite a bit, had an interception against South Carolina last year. On the defensive line, we return our top four interior defensive tackles.

“So I mean, I feel really good about the defensive side of the ball, and what our capabilities are there.”

Evidently, Drinkwitz is hoping for the team’s defense to be their backbone, which is a good strategy in a loaded SEC conference. Still, media members like Greg McElroy believe it’s a pivotal season for Missouri, and it’s put up or shut up time for their coach.

“He’s 17-19 overall and does not have a winning year since taking over in 2020,” McElroy said, speaking of Drinkwitz. “It was a difficult situation that he stepped into. You walk in trying to change things during COVID, it’s almost impossible. But you think about where the SEC’s going. You bring in former rival Oklahoma. You bring in the Texas Longhorns. Missouri needs to win this year and they need to get at least an upset or two. 

“They almost had one last year against Georgia. Maybe they get one this year against Florida at their place in November. Whatever the circumstances are, he needs a big win to be able to lean on. I think he needs to get back to a bowl game at the very least.”

Time will tell, but it’s evident Eli Drinkwitz believes his best season yet is on the horizon, which is good news for Tigers fans.