COLUMBIA, Mo. -- High school defensive linemen looking to become great might want to try putting on a Missouri jersey.
OK, so maybe there are some other, more important steps in becoming an all-conference player and, eventually, an NFL Draft pick. But for those who earn the right to wear the black and gold on Saturdays, the odds seem to be in their favor.
Since 2010, Missouri's defensive line has produced nine all-conference selections in the Big 12 and SEC, four of whom earned first-team honors. Three have been drafted in the past two years, and seven former Mizzou linemen are currently on NFL rosters, including Aldon Smith, who plays linebacker for San Francisco (when he isn't suspended, which he is now).
"I think you've got to give a lot of compliments to (defensive line coach) Craig Kuligowski," coach Gary Pinkel says. "The consistency of how the defensive line plays, what we have going now, it helps us recruit because of the success we have going now."
The two have worked together since long before Pinkel came to Mizzou, and Kuligowski says his formula for finding a certain type of player and developing them has only gotten better when recruits can see a clear path to the NFL. Speed is always a critical trait, especially on the end, where Kuligowski says he looks for "more Dwight Freeney types than Reggie White."
This year's team has two prototypical "Mizzou made" defensive ends in Markus Golden and Shane Ray, who have so far made it difficult for opposing rushers to turn the corner. Both have proved more than capable of stepping into starting roles after making some big plays as backups to NFL draft picks Kony Ealy and Michael Sam a year ago.
"We pride ourselves for having speed and being relentless, running to the ball and having a nonstop motor," Golden says. "You've got to give credit to (strength and conditioning) coach (Pat) Ivey with that in the weight room. Him and his staff push us to the limit."
Golden looked dominant against Toledo, recording six tackles and a sack while making his presence felt in the Rockets' backfield. Pinkel jokes Ray might have taken that as a challenge after he responded with seven tackles of his own -- including four tackles for loss and two sacks -- last Saturday against Toledo.
That success came despite efforts by Central Florida to slow down Missouri's prolific defensive ends with a tight end or tailback, something Kuligowski says they can expect to see frequently this season. But those decisions won't come without consequences so long as the Tigers' defensive tackles can take advantage of their one-on-one matchups.
They did that well last Saturday, and linebacker Michael Scherer says the outstanding play up front also opened up some gaps for the second level of Mizzou's defense. The Tigers didn't even miss a beat without senior Matt Hoch, who injured his pectoral muscle and should be back this week against Indiana.
Sophomore defensive tackle Josh Augusta stepped in nicely and showed his obvious talent and athleticism, especially on an interception Pinkel says "changed the whole game." The leaping pick by Augusta led to Mizzou outscoring UCF, 24-0, in the final 17 minutes and showed why Augusta drew interest from several other top programs, including Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
"He's changed his body tremendously since he's been here," Pinkel says. "He's a big, athletic guy that can run, and he really wants to be good."
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The interception also kept alive Missouri's streak of games with at least one turnover, now at 47, the longest such streak in the country. It's no coincidence the Tigers have also had some of their most dominant defensive lines over the past four seasons.
Even if the linemen don't always make spectacular plays to get the turnovers themselves, high pressure in the backfield can often be a vital component of forcing takeaways. It's a major point of emphasis for the Tigers and can often cover up the weaknesses of a secondary that Pinkel says needs to be more aggressive.
"If we can get after the quarterback, for one, you're going to have a better chance of winning the game," Golden says. "If you can get turnovers, you're going to win the game."
Missouri's defensive line features three seniors, and Ray figures to be a potential draft prospect if he lives up to his potential this season. The prospect of losing all four starters might be concerning for most teams, but the Tigers already appear to be loaded with talent waiting in the wings.
Pinkel and Kuligowski both say sophomore tackle Harold Brantley and freshman defensive ends Charles Harris and Marcus Lous showed good progress in last week's 38-10 win. Despite the talent in front of them, they're likely to get more playing time than just about any other backups because of the importance of keeping the big men up front fresh and energized.
Whatever magic Kuligowski and others are using on the field and in the weight room, it seems to be making the Tigers' front line one of the most feared in the country. Just in case it didn't scare opposing quarterbacks enough already, two starters have already suffered significant injuries in the first three weeks against Mizzou, and Pinkel says UCF's Justin Holman clearly wasn't the same after being introduced to Ray and others for six sacks and several other big hits.
"'Keep working hard and you're going to be a great player' because he's a very talented player," Pinkel says he told the sophomore after the game. "But there's no question about it, you're a different guy. When you're not set and throwing, set and throwing, you're side-stepping, people are running by you, then you get some hits and it just changes you."
Good luck with that, SEC quarterbacks.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
