Green to miss Mizzou's 2026 season opener

Though Week 1 presents an opportunity for two younger players to step in, Green’s status will become incredibly important as early as Week 2, when the Tigers are set to take on Kansas on Sept. 11.

Without the second-team All-SEC tackle, Missouri will lean on sophomore Jack Lange and junior Whit Hafer to hold down the left tackle spot against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

“A lot of confidence in Jack and Whit and how they'll handle it,” Drinkwitz said. “Now, it's their opportunity to improve their capabilities, so we're excited about that.”

Lange was the highest-rated recruit in the state of Missouri in the Class of 2025. He has spent his time with the Tigers filling out his 6 foot, 8 inch, 318-pound frame.

During fall camp, Lange was able to get some experience with the first team, stepping up on days when MU intentionally held Green out to get a better look at younger players. Drinkwitz said Lange did an excellent job with those opportunities.

“Jack's been a guy that was recruited with a lot of potential, and we've really poured into him to develop that,” Drinkwitz said. “I think he's done a really good job of buying into how (the offensive line coaches) have been coaching him.”

Hafer has worked his way up the depth chart over the last two years after transitioning from being a tight end in his freshman season to the offensive line. The Joplin product started his career at 256 pounds and is now listed at 310.

“Whit Hafer’s also a guy that's really been pushing, somebody that's consistent,” Drinkwitz said.

Hafer was first listed as an offensive lineman in the spring entering his sophomore season. Since then, he’s learned the skill set of every spot along the offensive line.

“Whit's done a great job, honestly, just doing whatever the coaches have asked of him,” center Dominick Giudice said. “He's really such a glue guy, and he's really able to play all five (positions) at a high level right now.”

Drinkwitz’s confidence in Hafer and Lange stepping in for Green is another testament to MU’s ability to develop offensive linemen. Out of the five starters in Week 1, three will be ‘homegrown’ players who started their career with the Tigers and worked their way up from almost the very bottom of the depth chart.

Drinkwitz has labeled Missouri as a developmental program, and arguably no position group has exemplified that more than the offensive line. The two starting guards — Curtis Peagler and Tristan Wilson — were both three-star prospects that have emerged out of competitions with transfers and more experienced players over the last two years.

Missouri’s 2026 debut against Arkansas-Pine Bluff will give one of the best looks of the season at the depth the Tigers are trying to build along the offensive line. Not only at left tackle, but also other young players who could earn playing time later in the game.

One to watch is freshman Khalief Canty Jr., who is listed as the second right guard behind Peagler on the depth chart.

“He's hungry,” Giudice said of Canty. “He's got that dog mentality in him. Ever since he's come in, he's ready to work and eager to work and to learn.”

Missouri will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.