Three of the Best Performers from Mizzou's Black & Gold Spring Game
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Going into spring practices, wide receiver Joshua Manning wanted to play "bigger." He meant utilizing more of his 6-foot-2, 199 lb. frame, but he made plenty of big plays during the Missouri Tigers Black & Gold spring game. His performance in Saturday's scrimmage earned him the recognition of being named the offensive MVP for the game. He was one of the many young players who shined in the game.
Joshua Manning
Manning, who will be a sophomore in the fall, was one of quarterback Brady Cook's favorite targets throughout the game. He made an impressive, jump-ball catch near the left pylon of the north end zone early on in the game. After his performance, he highlighted the contested catch's as something he wanted to work on this offseason.
"Jump balls (and) just playing big, having a big frame" Manning said when asked where he wanted to improve this spring. "Combine that with release at the top of the route."
Manning has an uphill battle to gain significant time in a crowded wide receiver room. He's excited to build from the growth he had this spring.
"I'm proud of myself but I feel like it's just a stepping stone," Manning said. "I just got to continue pushing forward, trying to get better day by day."
Caleb Flagg
Flagg was named the defensive MVP for the game away with an interception later on in the scrimmage and making a number of other impressive plays. According to running backs coach Curtis Luper, Flagg had 7-8 interceptions throughout the 12 spring practices.
Flagg might only play special teams for Missouri in 2024 but he provided many reasons to be optimistic about his future and that he could be a solid backup this year. He transferred to Missouri this offseason from Houston Christian.
Ja'Marion Wayne
Player one was a wide receiver. Player two a corner back. Player three has done both. Wayne came in to Missouri as a wide receiver in 2022 but made the transition over to defensive back this spring. He was sticky in coverage Saturday and nearly came away with an interception early on in the game.
"He's ideal, prototypical from a size (standpoint)," defensive backs coach Al Pogue said of Wayne. "He's strong, he's physical, he's athletic and more important, his competitive character is really high."
Wayne will have a lot of progress to make to make his way up the depth chart but he looked like a natural in his first showing at defensive back.
