COLUMBIA - The Missouri football team released its first game-week depth chart of the year Monday, and a few lingering questions were answered.
Most prominently: What will the Tigers do with highly touted freshman quarterback Drew Lock?
The answer, it appears, is to put him to work. Lock was listed as Missouri's second-string quarterback, meaning he will likely forgo his redshirt for the year.
Lock was initially listed as Missouri's sixth-string quarterback, but he impressed in scrimmage play. The Lee's Summit graduate completed 38-of-51 passes for 484 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in three scrimmages.
Listed below starter Maty Mauk and Lock are sophomore Eddie Printz and redshirt freshman Marvin Zanders. The two share the third-string spot. Corbin Berkstresser, a senior who started four games for Missouri in 2012, is not listed on the depth chart.
Lock is one of seven freshmen expected to play this year. Emmanuel Hall was listed as the second-string X receiver, Terry Beckner Jr. was listed as the second-string defensive tackle, Nate Howard was listed as the second-string defensive end, Terez Hall was listed as the third-string strong-side linebacker, Cam Hilton was listed as the third-string free safety, and Corey Fatony was listed as the first-string punter.
The first trio of starting receivers for the Tigers will be sophomore J'Mon Moore, sophomore Nate Brown and redshirt freshman Keyon Dilosa. The Tigers' inexperienced receiving corps returns just 10 combined catches. Lone senior Wesley Leftwich will miss Saturday's game against Southeast Missouri with a knee injury, coach Gary Pinkel said Monday. Safety Cortland Browning (hamstring) will also miss the game.
Sophomore Alec Abeln is listed as the starting left guard. Until recently, Abeln was set to back up center Evan Boehm, but a late push in camp earned him the starting spot a position over. Backing up Abeln is previous first-team left guard Taylor Chappell.
As expected, JUCO transfer Marcell Frazier was listed as the starting defensive end opposite fellow starting end Charles Harris. Frazier made a push in fall camp and surpassed redshirt freshman Walter Brady for the starting job. Junior Josh Augusta regained his position as starting defensive tackle. Junior Rickey Hatley will be the starting nose guard.
Anthony Sherrils is set to take kickoffs for the Tigers. Sherrils is also Missouri's starting strong safety, taking the place of graduated captain Braylon Webb.