
Hey, I heard you need a guy who hits dudes super hard so we got you a guy who hits dudes super hard.
With three starting-level linebackers all graduating out of the program at the same time, it was paramount that Missouri find several linebackers to backfill the two deep, with a preference to those who’ve had starting experience in an effort to (hopefully) seamlessly fill in.
And Mizzou found a good one who can do just that in rising Redshirt Senior Mikai Gbaynor out of Nebraska.
At this point college eligibility is a complete joke, rife with one-liners and turns of phrase that sometimes make sense but most of the time don’t. But, in finer, more simpler times, Gbaynor would be in his last year of eligibility as he redshirted in 2021, didn’t see the field as a freshman in ‘22, and then played during his sophomore and junior seasons.
But one year rentals aren’t a bad thing! We liked Blaze Alldredge and Corey Flagg, Jr! Let’s see what Gbaynor brings to the table.
Where He Fits: Gbaynor is an inside linebacker through and through. Even while splitting time with fellow Husker linebacker John Bullock, Gbaynor still managed to be on the field for 375 snaps and log 48 tackles over 12 games last year which speaks to his ability to find the ball and hit the guy with it. He isn’t a pass rushing linebacker like Tristan Newson or Chuck Hicks (on a good day); rather, he’s more of a guy who can sit in a pass lane but prefers to seek and destroy ball carriers behind the line. His 5 tackles for loss and 7 run stuffs are a testament to his ability to scrape through blocks and bring down ball carriers, while his 2 pass break ups are a nice addition to his occasional pass defense efforts. But when he was sent on a pass rush, he managed 3 quarterback pressures and a sack, which isn’t much but certainly not bad.
When He’ll Play: He’s a transfer in his last year that’s looking to fill a vacant spot. You can carve it in stone that’s he’ll be playing all year.
What It All Means: Much like the safeties, the linebacking corps needs a blood transfusion of experienced talent in an effort to delay starting a bunch of second-year players for an entire SEC season. Gbaynor is a great bridge ‘backer, an effective piece that can log snaps and provide guidance while the youngsters spend another year in the rotation pool before taking the reins as starters themselves. He isn’t flashy but he is very effective and is the exact sort of player Mizzou needed to grab out of the portal.
0 Comments