Missouri Football: 3 Early Standouts from Spring Practice

The Missouri Tigers return 11 talented players and are a fun team to watch offensively. But things are really about to change for them as they enter the loaded and extremely competitive SEC. Players are really going to have to take their play to the next level if they expect to compete in the toughest conference in college football.

With spring practice fully underway for Missouri as they prepare for the spring game on April 14, there have been a few players that have really improved. These can be young freshman who won't see much playing time due to lack of experience or players that we know, but have taken their play to a new level the last couple of weeks. 

Here are three Missouri Tigers who have really stepped their game up throughout spring practice.

DE Kony Ealy

Kony Ealy may only be  sophomore, but seems to be one of the better defensive players on the roster. As a freshman last season he had 16 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack in limited action. This season he'll likely be one of the starting defensive ends and he's not letting the coaches down in the spring.

In a scrimmage earlier in practice he finished with two forced fumbles, recovering one and broke up two passes. Ealy is an athletic defensive end who really gets after the quarterback in a hurry. Don't be surprised if he ends up with fantastic numbers and registers several sacks this season.

QB Corbin Berkstresser

With quarterback James Franklin out of spring after recovering from surgery, redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser has stepped in and is giving the Tigers some hope for the future, and if Franklin, for whatever reason, isn't ready to go by the time the season kicks off.

“He’s got a little Blaine (Gabbert) in him,” said junior receiver T.J. Moe. “He’s not scared to make any throw, and he’s got the arm to do it all. It doesn’t matter how big the window is, he’s going to try and fit it in.”

Berkstresser didn't throw a pass at all last season and he won't be the starter this year, unless Franklin isn't fully recovered from his injuries. But it's nice to know that he's making progress in this valuable time and making strides with every practice.

WR Gahn McGaffie

Gahn McGaffie is a quick little slot receiver, who has big play ability. He enters his senior season and only has nine receptions for 58 yards in his career, but has really stepped it up throughout the spring and looks like he is ready for a bigger role this year. He won't surpass T.J. Moe on the depth chart, but there always has to be room for a quick receiver with good hands like McGaffie.

This could be just another weapon for quarterback James Franklin and if that's the case, it's great considering they're now in a defensive-minded conference.