The depth chart for Missouri State football continued to look clearer as camp wrapped up two weeks ahead of the Bears' opener at Montana on Aug. 31.
There has been some movement since we projected our first depth chart ahead of the team's first fall scrimmage. Several positions appear up for grabs, particularly on the offensive line and wide receiver. Other competitions have been settled.
Missouri State and head coach Ryan Beard will now move into game prep for its road trip to FCS No. 3 Montana for the next two weeks.
Expect some surprises to this depth chart when the Bears take the field. Here's where we have it right now.
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Missouri State football depth chart predictions
Quarterback
Starter: Jacob Clark
No change here. Clark is the Bears' starter until he runs out of eligibility.
Reserves: Brock Bagozzi, Cole Feuerbacher
Bagozzi won the backup job and has gotten all the meaningful reps with the second unit throughout camp.
Running back
Starter: Jacardia Wright
Wright appears to be in the ol' "best shape of his career" cliche. He's trimmed some body fat, added muscle and appears faster heading into his final year.
Reserves: Jayden Becks, Ramone Green Jr., Reggie Branch II
Becks seems safe as the first back off the bench but the third slot is up for grabs. Green, a former Nixa star, got some touches with the ones with Wright sitting out on a scheduled day off. Green has been a coach-favorite this offseason while Branch has a bigger body and good speed. Both should see some carries when Wright needs a breather.
Starters: Jmariyae Robinson, Hunter Wood, James BlackStrain, Dash Luke
Robinson and Wood are locked-in starters as returners from a year ago. Wood will come more out of the slot this year than in years past. BlackStrain has the highest ceiling of any receiver on the roster while Luke has been a coach-favorite throughout camp.
Reserves: DVontae Key, Antonio Robinson, Camron Williams, Liam O'Reilly
Beard said the Bears have "four to six guys who can really play" at receiver. Key is a capable starter and the other rotational receiver spots are up for grabs. There's a lot to like about the potential in Robinson and Williams. O'Reilly ahs had a nice camp.
Tight end
Starters: Gary Clinton, Lance Mason
These two aren't going anywhere. They were the starters last year and the Bears will look to build on their successes this year.
Reserves: Jeron Askren
Coaches like Askren and he could see time as a true freshman.
Starters: LT Ja'Veo Toliver, LG Mark Hutchinson, C Cash Hudson, RG Hutson Lillibridge, RT Erick Cade
There still appears to be some competition at left tackle where Grant Goodson got reps with the ones last week and was moved over to the right side this week with Cade being out with a minor injury. If Cade returns by opening night, which Beard expects, it could be Goodson instead of Toliver at left tackle.
Reserves: Cristian Loaiza, Grant Goodson, Justin Curtis
Loaiza got reps with the starters this week with Hudson having the day off.
Defensive ends
Starters: Darion Smith, Davon Townley Jr.
Smith is a guaranteed starter at one of the ends. The other appears up for grabs but Townley should eventually land the full-time spot at some point this season. The potential is too great.
Reserves: Caleb Dietlin, Jalen Williams, Caden Wiest, Cooper Roy, Andrew Link, Jayson Caldwell
The Bears are deep at pass rusher. You'll see all of these names rotated in at some point. Expect Roy to have an expanded role in passing situations and for Wiest to get more time as the season progresses.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Ryan Williams, Armon Wallace
Williams is one of the Bears' top-regarded offseason adds. Wallace is one of the more experienced players on the roster.
Reserves: Sterling Smithson, Mitchell Toney, Tim Brantley Jr., Gilles Tchio
Like at defensive end, the defensive tackle spot has more depth than in previous seasons. Each will contribute to the Bears' defensive line rotation.
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Linebacker
Starters: Tahj Chambers, Dallas Winner-Johnson, Kanye Young
This appears to be set. Chambers is one of the leaders of the Bears' defense and Winner-Johnson has been among the camp's breakout performers. Young appears to have the edge over Michael Teason.
Reserves: Michael Teason, Eunique Valentine
The pair are either new to the program or young. Coaches have spoken up the two and will be pieces to watch down the line.
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Defensive back
Starters: CB Avery Powell, NB Kaleno Levine, CB Lemondre Joe, SS P.J. Hall, FS Todric McGee
The starting secondary has been outstanding in the team's two preseason scrimmages. It wouldn't be a surprise if 2-3 emerge as all-conference selections, specifically Powell and McGee, at the end of the year.
Reserves: SS J.J. O'Neal, S Dylan Simmons, CB Brandon Vines, CB Thomas Anderson, CB Floyd Williams, S Khalil Anderson
The Bears made sure to add depth during the offseason and appear longer at the different positions. O'Neal has turned into a starting-caliber safety who happens to be behind a pair of veterans.
Specialists
Starters: P Grant Burkett, LS Caden Bolz, K Yousef Obeid
Obeid won the starting kicking job during the preseason. He was the most impressive during the scrimmages, knocking down a 51-yarder with room to spare.
Reserves: K Stewart McDonald
McDonald appears to be the runner-up in the kicking competition. Beard talked up his future in a Bears uniform when camp concluded.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football depth chart projections: Where the Bears stand after fall camp
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