Mizzou Football Well Represented In Super Bowl 50

When the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos square off in Super Bowl 50, Mizzou Football will have players on the field for both teams.

Kony Ealy was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second-round of the 2014 draft. He didn’t start in his rookie year, but has started nine regular season games in 2015.

His career as a defensive end is off to a good start as he already has nine sacks and has forced four fumbles so far. In this last weekend’s game against the Cardinals the Panthers ability to get pressure on Carson Palmer led the quarterback to throw four interceptions and lose two fumbles.

The Panthers went on to win the game in dominating fashion and Kony Ealy was a big part of the defensive pass rush in the game.

Shane Ray fell to the Broncos in the first-round when they traded up to get him. Some issues with marijuana right before the 2015 draft severely hurt Shane Ray’s draft stock as he fell from the top-five pick that was projected for him.

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Ray has yet to start a game and with Denver’s plethora of pass rushers it’s not hard to figure out why. The unfortunate thing for Kansas City fans is that even if the Broncos lose Von Miller in free-agency, they’ll have to deal with Shane Ray for the next few years.

In limited time playing, Ray has already recorded four sacks. He hasn’t seen any playing time in the playoffs, but an injury to Miller or DeMarcus Ware could see him take the field. If Cam Newton wears out the defense Shane Ray could also find his way into the game.

While these two players have yet to earn a name for themselves, either one could become a household name with a big play in the Super Bowl. Malcolm Butler was a relative unknown before he made a play that helped Tom Brady to his fourth Super Bowl ring.

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The selection of these two players early in the draft continues a trend for Mizzou Football. Many good defensive players have been taken in the early rounds from the Tigers in recent years, and for these two to face off in the Super Bowl speaks highly of how good Mizzou has been. At the end of the day, one of these two players will be hoisting a trophy over their head.

Next: Mizzou Running Back Greats

What do you think Mizzou fans? Who is the next good defensive player to come out of Mizzou? Will either of these players have an impact on the game? Which team will come out on top in Super Bowl 50? Let me know in the comments section below.

(all stats courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com)