Missouri loses third-year linebacker to transfer portal

Missouri suffered a blow to its linebacker depth on Saturday as redshirt sophomore linebacker Jamie Pettway entered the transfer portal on Monday.

“This was a tough decision, but I believe it was the best for me and my future,” Jamie Pettway wrote on Twitter. “I would like to thank all the coaches, strength staff and academic staff for pushing me to be the best student athlete. Thank you to my brothers that I have built a bond with, and also those who pushed me on and off the field.”

A former four-star recruit from Albany (Ga.) Westover, Jamie Pettway played in each of Missouri’s first seven games and tallied 11 tackles and two tackles for loss.

The timing of Pettway’s decision is strange as in his seven appearances this season, his most snaps came in the Tigers’ last two games against Texas A&M and North Texas.

With Jamie Pettway lost to the portal, all the more attention will be on Blaze Alldredge, Devin Nicholson and Chad Bailey at linebacker. The Tigers now just have nine total linebackers left on the roster.

Missouri is 3-4 on the season with wins over Central Michigan, Southeast Missouri State and North Texas. Coming off a bye week, the Tigers have a chance to pick up its first conference win of the season on Saturday against a 2-6 Vanderbilt team. Looking ahead, Missouri has games against top-ranked Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Arkansas ahead.

Missouri also lost three seniors to season-ending injuries. The Tigers lost starting right guard Case Cook, starting defensive end Chris Turner, and reserve defensive back Mason Pack to unspecified season-ending injuries.

Although head coach Eli Drinkwitz opted to remove the Missouri depth chart from media guides, saying whichever players practiced best would play, the last available data offers an idea of who could fill in the rest of the season.

At right guard, redshirt freshman EJ Ndoma-Ogar was listed at backup. Turner was co-starter beside junior Isaiah McGuire and freshman Arden Walker was listed at backup. The secondary, which has been depleted by injuries already, has several young options to fill Pack’s roll.

Missouri also lost sophomore cornerback Ennis Rakestraw two weeks ago with a torn ACL, making Pack’s injury more impactful. As a result, the Tigers will lean on Akayleb Evans, Allie Green IV and Kris Abrams-Draine as the top three cornerbacks. Safeties Martez Manuel and Jaylon Carlies complete the secondary.