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Missouri Tigers: Marcell Frazier Stepping up on Defensive Line

By Tyler Wornell

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Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel – Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The college football season is almost upon us, and the Missouri Tigers will defend their consecutive SEC East titles.

The Missouri Tigers could have another Markus Golden in the makings.

Defensive Lineman Marcell Frazier has been grabbing the attention of coaches during Mizzou Training Camp, most notably head coach Gary Pinkel. Pinkel praised Frazier to the press following Monday’s practice, comparing the JUCO transfer to the former Second-team All-SEC defensive end.

"“I’m a little surprised,” Pinkel said. “I think sometimes junior college players don’t come in that competitive, but he’s a really focused guy. We’re very detailed with how we do things. We’ve got a plan for everything, and you’ve got to come in and do it our way, because our way works. He just jumped on it.“It’s exciting to see him play like he is.”"

Frazier participated in the first scrimmage of camp last Saturday, getting most of his reps with the third-team defense. He had four tackles including two for a loss, a sack, and a quarterback hurry during the scrimmage.

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Frazier is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior from the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California. He had 32 tackles including 16 for loss and 11 sacks last season.

Frazier was also a First Team All-North California Defensive End in his freshman season at College of the Siskiyous.

Frazier’s work during Saturday’s scrimmage earned him a chance to work the first-string defensive line, as coach Craig Kuligowski discussed the position battle between Frazier and redshirt freshman Walter Brady. Audio courtesy of MUTigers.com.

"“When we looked at the scrimmage — these guys get points for making tackles, making plays and forcing quarterback hurries and making sacks and all that kind of stuff — he got the most points on the D-line in terms of production,” Tigers defensive-line coach Craig Kuligowski said. “It’s hard to ignore that fact.”"

The Tigers are looking for players to step up on the defensive line, considering the injury to defensive tackle Harold Brantley, who broke his leg in a car crash in June. Juniors Josh Augusta and Rickey Hatley and sophomore Charles Harris will battle it out for the starting spot at defensive tackle.

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It would be a big boost to the defensive line if Marcell Frazier can excel for the Missouri Tigers sooner rather than later. If Frazier can supply productive minutes, he would bolster the line depth for the rugged SEC slate ahead.

The Tigers will hold their second scrimmage of fall camp on Thursday, August 20.

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