Eight Missouri Tigers Invited to NFL Combine
As the NFL season just commenced this past Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the next chapter is already starting for hundreds of 2024 NFL Draft prospects.
321 of these potential future faces of the league were invited to the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning, including eight Missouri Tigers. These eight players helped lead Mizzou to its best record since 2014 (11-2), which eventually resulted in a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State and the No. 8 spot in the final AP Poll.
Cody Schrader is among a lengthy list of running backs invited to the 2024 NFL Combine, but he stands out in many ways. The SEC's rushing leader won the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's top former walk-on, and he was also one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the best running back in all of college football.
Javon Foster was the anchor to one of the best offensive lines in college football, as the Tigers' front five was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. The offensive tackle's efforts helped pave the way for Schrader's historic season.
Darius Robinson thrived on the defensive line throughout the season, as he led the Tigers in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (14). Robinson's draft stock soared throughout the week leading up to the Senior Bowl game, as he was named the annual practice MVP among all players.
Ty'Ron Hopper led Mizzou with 55 tackles before the linebacker suffered an injury that sidelined him for the final two games of the regular season and the Cotton Bowl Classic. The Butkus Award finalist also tallied six tackles for loss and three sacks. In 2022, he logged 77 tackles, including a team-high 14 for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception.
Kris Abrams-Draine was among the top defensive backs in college football this past season, and he led the Mizzou in interceptions (4) and pass breakups (13). Opposing quarterbacks often looked for other options due to his stout coverage.
Jaylon Carlies made a tremendous impact on the Tigers' historic Cotton Bowl-winning season, as the senior led the team in tackles (64). The defensive back also tallied five pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2023.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. missed three games in his senior season but still logged 35 tackles. However, NFL scouts think highly of the cornerback due to his impressive junior year when he logged 12 pass breakups. Rakestraw has been considered a first or second-round pick in practically every mock draft as opposing receivers near him weren't targeted often.
Harrison Mevis is one of just six specialists invited to the NFL Combine. The two-time SEC Special Teams Player of the Week converted a conference-best 24 field goal attempts this season. Additionally, the senior's 115 points were the second-most in the SEC. Mevis also converted 43-of-44 PATs in 2023 and 145-of-146 for his Mizzou career.
