NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two defenders headline Blake Baker’s unit, poised to be one of the best in the SEC next season. Kris Abrams-Draine and Darius Robinson spoke on Monday at SEC Kickoff in Nashville about the disappointments of last season and their expectations for next year.

         Darius Robinson is a returning starter from one of the premier defensive lines in the SEC. He, alongside Jayden Jernigan, should anchor the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.

         He seemed proud about how the team has developed and highlighted that Baker’s system helps him thrive. He noted that he and his teammates are “never wrong in our system.”

         The Tigers found themselves in the opposing backfield with regularity last season as they racked up 35 sacks and 94 tackles for loss. Robinson feels confident they can replicate that success this year.

         A lot of that optimism revolves around the new defensive end Johnny Walker. Robinson has seen him firsthand and says that “it’s time to show what he[Walker] has.” Drinkwitz echoed this optimism saying that he feels “we have answered those[questions about the edge position] with Johnny Walker.”

         Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine also took the podium in Nashville. Many identify the Missouri secondary unit as one of the best in the conference.

         Abrams-Draine  set his sights high for the team and his unit arguing that a New Year’s Six Bowl is the goal for this team. He feels the secondary has come along.

         Robinson corroborated this claim as he raved about the progress that Jaylon Carlies has made in becoming one of the better safeties in the SEC.

         Much has been made about how great this defense has looked in the offseason. They certainly looked the part on Monday in Nashville.