Death Row Defense hopes to start building something special in spring practice

The Tigers are combining several key returners with a potent transfer class

On a windy, wintry Wednesday in Columbia, the loud sound of metal being pounded into the frozen ground could be heard coming from Faurot Field’s north end zone.

The university’s $250 million Centennial Project is progressing quickly. Contractors have already torn down the last remnants of what existed before and moved on to building the foundation of something bigger and better.

Mizzou’s defense this spring bears many similarities to the construction zone right near the Stephens Indoor Facility, where the Tigers commenced their second open spring practice today.

Several key members of last year’s defense, including Chuck Hicks, Kristian Williams and multi-year starters Joseph Charleston and Johnny Walker, Jr., are gone.

While Death Row Defense returns foundational pieces like Daylan Carnell and Chris McClellan, defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said much of the defense’s two or three-deep depth chart consists of newcomers.

“We’ve got to assimilate those guys into the brotherhood,” he said, “and that’s been a big part of what we’ve done in the offseason.”

Mizzou’s nine defensive transfer additions, six of them from power conference teams, are a big part of one of the nation’s best portal hauls. The individual talent pops off the page, giving Batoon a rock-solid base to start from.

The Missouri football team have their spring practice on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Stephens Indoor Facility in Columbia. (MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/RockM).

Now, the Tigers are beginning to work towards building a bigger and better defense in 2025, much like the construction workers that are a constant presence nearby.

“For us, it’s just building that cohesion and chemistry, and learning what Death Row [Defense] is about,” Batoon said. “The first four days coming out, they did a great job of being very selfless teammates and trying to do what’s asked of them.”

Returning starter Triston Newson liked what he’s seen so far.

“The linebackers and the safeties, we’re starting to talk way more than I feel like we did last year,” he said. “Another thing I see [is] a lot of guys showing up in the film room before our meeting times, we’re there early.”

Newson was originally planning on 2024 being his final season before Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s court case gave JUCO players additional eligibility. He chose to use his extra year and help lead the team’s linebacking corps.

“I did want to take a chance to invest in myself another year with the coaching here,” he said. “I feel like I created a great role with my coaches and teammates, and also had another opportunity to further my education and just get better in my game.”

“He’s looked at it as a blessing,” Batoon said. “He’s coming in with a big smile on his face, like he always does.”

Newson has worked to take the next step as a leader this offseason and pointed to former Tigers Chad Bailey and Chuck Hicks as role models.

“Everything they always told me, I tried to do it, put it in play,” he said. “I feel like it’s my time to do that for the younger guys, lead them in the right direction.”

Zion Young also enters his final collegiate season in a new role as one of the veterans of the defensive line group, and he’s impressed the coaches with his work on and off the field.

“Just in the offseason, I think the game has slowed down for him. He’s more comfortable in the things that we’re asking him to do,” Batoon said. “I’m seeing him play faster, seeing the improvement that he’s made already in pass rush, trying to become a more complete player.”

Young will be one of the players asked to fill the sizable hole left by Johnny Walker, Jr.’s departure, and he has taken that task seriously.

“Basically, I took everything from Johnny,” he said. “I took the way he walked in the building, his on the field actions, off the field actions, just the way he eats his food.”

Both Newson and Young will hope to catch the eyes of NFL scouts in their final season. They’ve had excellent role models in the locker room on how to build a future in football – Luther Burden, Brady Cook and Armand Membou were all named to the NFL’s All-Combine Team Monday.

Cook and Membou in particular shined in the underwear Olympics, as the event in Indy is nicknamed, putting together arguably the best performances at their respective positions.

Membou is now solidly projected as a top-15 pick and gaining traction in scouting circles as the top option among all offensive linemen, giving Mizzou two likely first rounders alongside Burden.

“When they get here and you’re playing ball at the highest level, those are the expectations,” Batoon said. “That’s where they all want to end up, so it’s something they aspire to.”

But for now, both players will apply their talents to Saturdays and making Mizzou’s defense one of college football’s most fearsome. The Tigers have prioritized athleticism and physicality in this pursuit, and Young described several of the team’s defensive linemen as athletic “freaks.”

“Coach Brian Early, he looks for those types of guys,” he said, “lengthy guys, just kind of twitchy and freakish off the ball.”

As for the physicality, Batoon said the team is getting its newcomers up to speed this spring on what it means to be a hard-hitting member of Death Row Defense.

“That’s part of what we are,” he said, “that’s our standard.”