Mizzou Defensive Ends Excited for Fall Camp Competition With Offensive Line

The talented group of defensive ends are ready to go to battle against their teammates on the other side of the ball.

Oct 12, 2024; Amherst, Massachusetts, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) lines up against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the second half at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The football cliche of 'iron sharpening iron' certainly applies to the offensive and defensive lines for the Missouri Tigers in fall camp.

It shouldn't be a surprise that either side is ultra competitive, but the clear truth is it will help both sides improve.

"I just know that we're going to push each other to the limits and I know at the end of it, we're going to be ready to compete on Saturdays, and at the end we'll be supporting each other," defensive end Langden Kitchen told MissouriOnSI.

There's a sense throughout the defensive line that the offensive line has improved from the spring. Even if they're putting in work and getting in reps that they can't see, the improvements on the offensive side provide nothing but pure excitement.

"They 100% had to get better because they were putting in work," defensive end Damon Wilson said. "I'm just excited with what they have to bring to the table, because I know that we had good competition last time, and we all got better."

Speaking of excitement, nobody is more thrilled about the new season and competing against their offensive counterparts than star defensive end Zion Young.

There's plenty to be thrilled about across the board, especially for Young. He's a member of a talented position group that might be the best on the team.

He's enamored with one specific player offensive lineman who missed some time last season. They may not face each other one-on-one, but he does bring a lot to Missouri's offensive front.

"I'm really excited to see these guys," Young told MissouriOnSI. "I'm excited to see Connor Tollison come back, our center. I'm excited to see who we have for the edges. I'm just excited."

Young's favorite word may be excited, but that's not all that's going through his head. Since the end of his first campaign with the Tigers, he's been ready for his second. That also entails the players he'll face in practice every day.

"I'm more so prepared and excited, because I know I prepared for this since January, since we got out of last season," Young said. "So I'm also prepared and excited. I just want my work to be on display."

On the flip side of the offense, the defensive line also has its fair share of talent. The offense does recognize that and just as the offensive line will make the defense better, the defense will make the offense better.

"We obviously have probably the best defensive line, or defensive ends, for sure, the defensive line in general," offensive line coach Brandon Jones said. "So they'll get some really meaningful work there."

Both position groups are clearly talented, but questions about the offensive line are still swirling. In many ways, it's reassuring that there is a positive outlook from others on the team.