With national signing day three weeks away, it’s time to take a closer look at Missouri’s current scholarship list. Below are all current players expected to be in spring camp, listed by their eligibility year for the 2008 season.

Also listed are incoming recruits who are known to have given MU verbal commitments. They’re listed by the position that’s been reported they’ll play at Missouri, although those can obviously change between national signing day and the opening of fall camp. An asterisk denotes a returning starter

• Quarterback
*Chase Daniel, Senior
Chase Patton, Senior
Dominic Grooms, Soph.
J.P. Tillman, Soph.
Incoming recruits: Blaine Gabbert
My take: Ideal situation here for the post-Daniel era with a blue-chip recruit in Gabbert to compete with Grooms, who will have practiced in the offense for three years by 2009.

• Tailback
Jimmy Jackson, Senior
Earl Goldsmith, Senior
Derrick Washington, Soph.
De’Vion Moore, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Drew Temple; Brandon Reid
My take: Jackson-Washington give the Tigers a nice 1-2 punch in 2008. Washington probably has the greatest upside in terms of being a feature back, but Jackson brings durability and experience. Moore could earn some carries, too.

• Wide receiver
*Tommy Saunders, Senior
Danario Alexander, Junior
Jared Perry, Junior
*Jeremy Maclin, Soph.
Incoming recruits: Michael Egnew, Wes Kemp, Gahn McGaffie, Rolandis Woodland
My take: Good balance throughout the group. A newcomer or two might have to contribute this fall, especially if Alexander’s still recovering from offseason knee surgery.

• Tight end
Chase Coffman, Senior
Jon Gissinger, Junior
Incoming recruits: Andrew Jones
My take: If Jones is ready, he could play in ’08. Tigers will probably never be loaded here like they’ve been with Coffman and Martin Rucker, but Jones will be next in line. Kemp, listed above as a wide receiver, could become a tight end.

• Offensive line
*Colin Brown, Senior
*Ryan Madison, Senior
*Kurtis Gregory, Junior
James Stigall, Junior
Dain Wise, Junior
Tim Barnes, Soph.
Mike Prince, Soph.
J.T. Beasley, RsFr.
Elvis Fisher, RsFr.
Byran Webb, RsFr.
Jayson Palmgren, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Taylor Davis, Dan Hoch, Daniel Jenkins, Brad Madison, Travis Ruth
My take: Lots of depth across the board here—so much that there’s no reason to panic after losing stalwarts Adam Spieker and Tyler Luellen. Gregory gives front five flexibility if Wise or a youngster isn’t ready to replace Luellen at left tackle. Missouri recruits and manages its offensive line depth as well as any other position.

• Defensive end
*Tommy Chavis, Senior
*Stryker Sulak, Senior
Jaysen Corbett, Senior
Bart Coslet, Soph.
Tyler Crane, Soph.
Michael Keck, RsFr.
Chris Earnhardt, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Aldon Smith, George White
My take: Someone here better emerge as a reliable backup for ’08. Future depth looks a little shaky, at least based on current experience. Don’t count out D-line coach Craig Kuligowski, who always whips this group into shape.

• Defensive tackle
*Ziggy Hood, Senior
Jaron Baston, Junior
Andy Maples, Junior
Jason Townson, Junior
Dominique Hamilton, RsFr.
Terrell Resonno, RsFr.
Austin Wuebbels, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Jimmy Burge
My take: Tigers are set with their starters but need someone to emerge to provide a steady rotation. Will either Maples or Townson earn enough playing time to contribute?

• Linebacker
*Brock Christopher, Senior
*Van Alexander, Senior
Steve Redmond, Senior
*Sean Weatherspoon, Junior
Connell Davis, Junior
Marquis Booker, Soph.
Andrew Gachkar, Soph.
Luke Lambert, Soph.
Incoming recruits: Will Ebner
My take: Rock solid from top to bottom. Depth galore for the present and beyond.

• Safety
*William Moore, Senior
*Justin Garrett, Senior
Mack Breed, Senior
Del Howard, Junior
Hardy Ricks, Junior
Kevin Rutland, Soph.
Gilbert Moye, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Jerrell Jackson, Kenji Jackson
My take: Moore makes the starting tandem excellent regardless who lines up alongside him. Ricks is an intriguing candidate here, but injuries and inconsistency set him back in ’07. If Moye is half the athlete he’s been billed, he’ll have to emerge sooner than later.

• Cornerback
*Castine Bridges, Senior
Tremane Vaughns, Senior
*Carl Gettis, Soph.
La’Roderick Thomas, Soph.
Trey Hobson, RsFr.
Incoming recruits: Kip Edwards, Munir Prince (transfer from Notre Dame, eligible in ’09), Robert Steeples
My take: Tigers need to replenish the depth here, though they return their two best corners from ’07, Gettis and Bridges. Thomas could be moved to offense, opening the door for one or perhaps two of the incoming freshmen to contribute.

• Kicking specialists
*Jeff Wolfert, Senior (kicker)
Jake Harry, Junior (punter)
My take: MU needs to identify a long snapper to replace Steven Blair and perhaps a punter if Harry’s not what it needs

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