COLUMBIA - Ziggy Hood might have left the most glaring hole on the Missouri defensive line, but the first-round pick's defensive tackle spot isn't the only place where there's some replacing to do.
Hood dominated the headlines with his ascension up draft boards, but a lot of consistency headed out the door with the departure of fifth-round pick Stryker Sulak and two-year starter Tommy Chavis.
With plenty of playing time up for grabs this season, sophomore Jacquies Smith and redshirt freshman Aldon Smith have solidified themselves as two of the three members of the starting defensive end rotation, along with senior Brian Coulter.
Aside from their last names, and the buzz they've created among the coaching staff, there aren't many similarities between the two.
The 250-pounder Jacquies Smith is shorter than Aldon Smith, but thicker throughout, his lower body strength allowing him to get underneath defensive lineman and drive them back into the quarterback.
"He is an undersized defensive end, but he's really aggressive, and he doesn't think like that," senior defensive end Brian Coulter said. "I've seen him go up against Colin Brown last year, and guys who were two times bigger than him, and all he's thinking about is getting back there and getting to the quarterback."
But more than "strength," the word that comes to mind when his teammates think of Jacquies Smith is "burst," a burst off the line of scrimmage that is second to none along the new-look Tiger front.
"He's real good off the ball," Aldon Smith said. "He's got that real fast first three, four steps."
If the first thing that comes to mind with Jacquies Smith is his burst off the line, for Aldon Smith it's his size.
The redshirt freshman stands 6 feet 5 inches and has a massive wing span that allows him to create separation with offensive linemen.
"Aldon's got those long arms," Coulter said. "He's able to lock out tackles better to read the pass and the run."
Aldon Smith's height is ideal for the position, but while others praise his ability and effectiveness, he stills sees plenty of progress to be made.
"I don't think I've really learned how to use my arms," Aldon Smith said. "When I do, I'm going to be a lot better."
The constant willingness to find an area where he needs to improve is indicative of what Coulter says he sees from the redshirt freshman almost daily. The two are roommates, and Coulter says that no matter how well Aldon might do in a particular practice, he's always focusing on what went wrong and how he can correct it.
"He might go up one-on-one four times and get all but one, and he'll be upset that whole day because he wasn't undefeated in one-on-one pass rush," Coulter said. "And those are the kind of people that I love to live up and play beside."
Despite the differences in size and style, Coulter says there is a theme between the two: speed. Both know how to get to the quarterback, but beyond that, each has the willingness and ability to make plays all over the field.
"You'll see (Nos.) 85 and 3 flying sideline to sideline across the field trying to make tackles," Coulter said. "And they're going to be making tackles that you don't expect a defensive end to make."
MONDAY MORNING PRACTICE NOTES