Missouri Football: 10 Former Stars Who Couldn't Start Today

The Missouri Tigers football team has been great the past few years.

They have a streak of 10-win seasons going and will look to add to it this year.

They have a new starting quarterback and some changes along the offensive line after the graduation of Tim Barnes and an injury to Elvis Fisher.

But, they still return plenty of star power, most notably T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew on offense.

It should be an exciting year for Mizzou.

With that in mind, let's take a look at 10 former Missouri Tiger stars who would have a tough time cracking the starting lineup in 2011.

10. Brad Smith, QB

Smith was an outstanding quarterback for the Missouri Tigers.

During his career, he became the first Division I player to throw for 8,000 yards and run for 4,000 yards in a career.

But, as good as he was, new starter James Franklin could be just as good.

He won’t put up the same numbers that Smith did, but that’s because he didn’t start as a freshman. If Franklin and Smith were competing for the starting job now, it’d be one heck of a quarterback battle.

9. William Moore, S

Moore was a great safety for Mizzou, but he’d have trouble landing a starting job in 2011.

Kenji Jackson and Matt White have a lot of talent.

The Mizzou secondary shouldn’t miss a beat from its strong 2010 season.

8. Danario Alexander, WR

Alexander has had several knee problems over the course of his career.

With those injuries, he might not have been able to make it on the field in practice. That would have possibly allowed T.J. Moe and Jerrell Jackson and maybe even Wes Kemp to pass him on the depth chart.

There’s no doubt that Alexander is a dynamic wide receiver when healthy, but he’s not healthy very often.

7. Derrick Washington, RB

Washington was supposed to be the starting running back in 2010 before legal issues got him suspended from the team.

But, if he were on the team in 2011, he’d have to earn his playing time alongside De’Vion Moore, Kendial Lawrence and Henry Josey.

Marcus Murphy would have also received some playing time, but he’s injured now.

6. Brock Olivo, RB

Olivo is a great running back in a traditional offense.

But, with the spread offense Mizzou now employs, he’d probably end up being a full-time special teams player and maybe a goal line back. 

He just wouldn't excel if he couldn't get a running start before receiving a hand-off.

5. C.J. Mosley, DT

Mosley had a great career at Mizzou, but he’d probably be sitting behind Dominique Hamilton in 2011.

Hamilton is more athletic at the nose tackle position than Mosley and is taller, making it easier for him to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage.

Expect big things from Hamilton this season, making Mizzou fans remember Mosley’s time in Columbia.

4. Justin Gage, WR

Gage is another wide receiver who might be buried on the depth chart behind Jerrell Jackson and T.J. Moe.

Jackson’s big-play ability is the perfect complement to Moe’s possession style.

Add in tight end Michael Egnew, and there’s not a lot of room for Gage.

3. Blaine Gabbert, QB

Gabbert did a lot for the Tigers in his two full years as a starter.

But, towards the end of last season, Franklin was working his way into more and more games.

It was only a matter of time until Franklin’s dual-threat ability overtook Gabbert on the depth chart.

2. Martin Rucker, TE

Michael Egnew has the potential to be an All-American tight end this season.

With his flexibility as a receiving tight end, he can split out wide or line up in the normal tight end slot.

Rucker, while no slouch in the pass catching department, just didn’t have the same raw receiving abilities as Egnew.

1. Kellen Winslow, Sr., TE

An NFL Hall-of-Famer who couldn’t start at his alma mater today?

That would have been the case with Winslow. While he still would have gotten plenty of playing time, when the Tigers go to five wide receiver sets, Winslow would have to come off the field.

Egnew, on the other hand, can play anywhere in a five receiver set and be effective. Therefore, his versatility adds a dimension to the offense that Winslow couldn’t.