Mizzou football brings up the offensive line, the secondary with two turnovers

COLUMBIA, Mo. – With the NCAA transfer portal open for 10 more days, Missouri landed a pair of experienced starters on Sunday, one for each side.

Eastern Michigan left tackle Marcellus Johnson and Florida safety Tre’Vez Johnson have both committed to the Tigers and are eligible immediately.

Johnson, a lineman, started every game at left tackle for Eastern Michigan the past two seasons and totaled 2,279 snaps in 2020-22.In 1,209 playoff games over those three seasons, Johnson allowed 10 sacks and 54 pressures. He only had five penalties in the last three years. The Normal, Illinois, native arrives at Mizzou as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility.

Mizzou’s two-year starting left tackle and second-team All-SEC selection Javon Foster has not announced his plans for 2023, but plans to use an extra year of eligibility and return next season, a source confirmed. The Tigers hoped to start Hyrin White at tackle next season, but the former starting right tackle transferred to SMU after he sat out all of 2022 with a foot injury. The Tigers also return freshman Armand Memboun, who took over the right tackle job late last season.

A defensive back, Johnson started nine games and appeared in three more for the Gators in 2022. He played most of his snaps at UF’s star position as a slot corner/safety. He had an interception and two pass breakups and allowed just one touchdown pass on 36 carries, per Pro Football Focus. Johnson also intercepted one pass in both 2020 and 2021. He started seven games in 2021 and came off the bench while playing the same spot in the second division. The Jacksonville, Florida native comes to Mizzou with two years of eligibility.

The Tigers return two of their three starting safeties next season, Jaylon Carlies and Joseph Charleston, while Daylan Carnell is poised to replace Martez Manuel at the star spot, similar to how Johnson played in Florida.

Mizzou has now added four transfers through the portal in recent weeks, previously landing Oklahoma receiver Theo Wease and Northwestern defensive end Austin Firestone.

Also on Sunday, Mizzou senior defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat entered the transfer portal five days after announcing he would return to MU for 2023. Jeffcoat was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2020 but lost the starting job to DJ Coleman midway through the season. last season.

The transfer portal is open on 18.1. until and will open again for a week in May.