COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri Tigers are in a hurry to put last football season behind them.
"I came in during 2013, which was after a 5-7 year," center Alec Abeln said, "and saw how hungry those guys were during the summer. I think this spring is just an extension of that."
The Tigers are five practices into their first spring camp under head coach Barry Odom. Odom took over for Gary Pinkel, who resigned after Missouri went 5-7 in 2015.
"It's never a good feeling coming off a year like last year," Abeln said, "and I know personally I'd like to play a lot better. That definitely sticks with you as you're working with stuff in the offseason, so I think as a whole, (we're) hungry. I think having a new coaching staff is a different vibe. It kind of keeps it fresh but at the same time, we're definitely hungry."
Just as much of the coaching staff has changed under Odom, the offensive line has a new look from that of a year ago. Missouri graduated five seniors, including Evan Boehm and Connor McGovern, who will likely be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.
"I think we've got the talent," first-year offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. "We've got to bulk up a little bit size wise. We've got to put some meat on. We've just got to get experience and play together. Offensive line, man, you've got to really know what the guy next to you is doing and those guys haven't had a chance to be a cohesive unit quite yet."
Elarbee came to Missouri after spending the last two seasons as Arkansas State's offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator. While coaching defenses at both Memphis and Missouri, Odom coached against Elarbee in three of the last four seasons.
"I've always respected coming out of the game the way that they played from a schematic standpoint," Odom said of Elarbee's offensive lines, "and I know there's a lot of pieces that go with that, but the things that his group specifically brought there always, to me, seemed really, really well coached.
"I thought they were extremely tough and physical and always assignment sound. We were always trying to find a way to get an extra hat to get to the quarterback in our pressures, and he made some really nice in-game adjustments every time we played them."
Odom is impressed with what he's seen far since bringing Elarbee on board.
"I would say that group, on the way that he's coached them, I've been most impressed with him," Odom said. "From where they started on Day 1 to where they are today, he deserves credit for the work he's done through five practices."
Missouri's line has a few returners in redshirt juniors Abeln and Nate Crawford. Abeln started three games at left guard but will likely fill the hole left by Boehm at center this season.
"He's a really smart guy," Elarbee said of Abeln. "He kind of gets us lined up. Does a really nice job just making all the calls and getting us going where we need to go. So the ability to bounce him between guard and center has kind of helped us."
Crawford saw action in 11 games in 2015, including time at both tackle and guard. He missed practice Thursday with a back injury, something that has been a problem for him in the past.
"I'm not concerned about it," Odom said. "Nate has had a lot of reps, and we'll get him back when he's ready."
Malik Cuellar, Paul Adams, Kevin Pendleton are also returners that will factor into the mix at offensive line. Backups Tanner Owen, A.J. Harris and Samson Bailey also return, and freshmen Trystan Castillo and Tre'Vour Simms signed on this winter.
JUCO transfer Tyler Howell could play a big role on the O-line, coming in at 6-foot-8, 305 pounds.
"He's a big guy, as y'all can see," Adams said. "He's long. He's athletic, and once he starts straining and straining more, he's going to be impressive to watch."
Adams has worked at right guard so far, and though Elarbee said the 6-foot-6 sophomore is among the team's top five linemen, nothing is set in stone.
"The door's open for everybody to compete right now," Elarbee said. "If you want to come out and grab some pads you can come out and compete as well. Absolutely."
Note: Clay Rhodes, another returning backup on the offensive line, was away from practice because of "personal issues." "He's got things he's kind of working through," Odom said. ... Missouri will wrap up spring workouts with the annual Black and Gold Game on Saturday, April 16. The contest will start at 5 p.m.