Missouri's single-season sack leader officially said goodbye Wednesday afternoon in Columbia.
The news won't surprise anyone who was paying attention before Shane Ray declared his intentions for the NFL Draft in front of reporters at a press conference in the Mizzou Athletics Training Complex. A dominant junior season featuring an SEC-best 14 1/2 sacks left the All-American defensive end with little left to prove as a Tiger.
He'd be foolish to pass up the chance for a big payday, with most draft experts predicting Ray will go in the top 10. ESPN's Todd McShay put Ray at fifth on his latest board, and fellow ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. even suggested in mid-November the Kansas City native could be a potential No. 1 pick.
That's quite a change from preseason projections viewing Ray as a possible second- and third-round selection, yet another leap forward for a formerly unheralded three-star recruit. The explosive 6-foot-3, 245-pound pass rusher dominated offensive linemen all season and has enough athleticism and speed to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 system at the next level.
His relentless efforts to get into the backfield will certainly make him the fourth Missouri defensive lineman drafted in the last four years and the 11th since Gary Pinkel took the head coaching job in 2001. Ray could even challenge Justin Smith, the No. 4 overall pick in 2001, as the Tigers' highest draft pick in school history.
Ray's departure also means only sophomore nosetackle Harold Brantley will return on a defensive line that was the cornerstone of a defense that led the SEC with 44 sacks and gave up fewer rushing yards than anyone else in league play. But as usual, Pinkel's staff has some serious talent waiting in the wings.
It still won't be easy to find edge rushers to replace Ray and Markus Golden, Mizzou's vocal leader who will likely be drafted in the third or fourth round. But freshmen Marcus Loud and Charles Harris showed promise in significant playing time last season, and the long-term future would look especially bright if the Tigers could land East St. Louis senior Terry Beckner Jr., one of the nation's top high school defensive ends.
The interior line shouldn't miss a beat next season with sophomore Josh Augusta poised to step in for seniors Matt Hoch and Lucas Vincent, who shared the defensive tackle spot alongside Brantley. The 330-pound freak athlete known as "Big Bear" made a name for himself when his timely interception sparked a 38-10 win over Central Florida.
Pinkel and longtime defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski will keep finding and developing top talent, just like Ray will keep sacking quarterbacks.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
