While Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker wasn’t named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, other former Tigers staff members were listed. Former Missouri tight ends coach Casey Woods and former defensive coordinator Ryan Walters earned recognition.

Walters, who is now the DC for Illinois, was named a Broyles Award finalist Monday, along with Alex Golesh of Tennessee, Jesse Minter of Michigan, Todd Monken of Georgia and Garrett Riley of TCU.

The Broyles Award recognizes the best assistant in college football. With its first winner named in 1996, no Missouri assistant has ever won the award.

Walters was with Missouri from 2015-2020. Under head coach Barry Odom, Walters started off as the safeties coach, becoming the co-defensive coordinator in 2016 and the defensive coordinator in 2018.

When Missouri parted ways with Odom, Eli Drinkwitz held onto Walters for his first season at the helm in 2020. Walter left the Tigers the following offseason, joining Bret Bielema at Illinois — where he has been the last two seasons.

Illinois went 8-4, 5-4 in conference, this season, finishing second in the Big 10 West. The Fighting Illini were ranked the eighth-best rush defense and the fifth-best passing defense in the FBS, according to the NCAA.

The winner of the 2022 Broyles Award will be announced Dec. 6 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The five finalists will travel to the ceremony a week from Tuesday.