Missouri defensive tackle Harold Brantley will miss the 2015 season after injuries he sustained in a car accident in June.
Gary Pinkel confirmed Brantley will miss the season Wednesday at SEC Media Days.
The news of Brantley's absence isn't surprising. Missouri had said Brantley suffered a broken left tibia, left knee ligament damage and multiple rib fractures. He was injured in the accident on June 21.
Brantley was the driver of a car that overturned while on U.S. Highway 63 in Columbia. Missouri women's basketball player Maddie Stock was riding in the car with Brantley and suffered minor injuries in the accident.
A junior in 2015, Brantley will more than likely apply for a medical redshirt for the season. He was set to be a starter on Missouri's defensive line. Defensive ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray were selected in the early rounds of the 2015 NFL draft and Brantley was counted on to replace some of their pass rush presence from the inside.
Brantley's athleticism also meant he was a valuable contributor to Missouri's punt team. He had two carries on fake punts in 2014. One went for 19 yards while the other went for 10.
Pinkel said Wednesday afternoon that he had expected Brantley to be one of the best players in the SEC in 2015.
"Great athlete, phenomenal leadership ... he kind of took it over there after Shane and Marcus left," Pinkel said. "So that will be a loss and we'll have to work around that. Harold is going to be OK. He's going to have his moments; he anticipated being an All-American this year."
Brantley is also the second possible starter that Missouri has lost before the season. Marcus Loud was dismissed from the team in May.
WIthout Brantley, Missouri's top defensive tackle options are Matt Hoch and Josh Augusta. Terry Beckner Jr. also figures to get a lot of playing time. Beckner was the top-rated recruit in Missouri's 2015 recruiting class. Beckner was a four-star recruit and the top-ranked recruit in the state of Illinois.
"Certainly with [Brantley]'s injury, [Beckner]'s name has come up quite a bit," Pinkel said. "... One thing about him, he doesn't really get caught up in a lot of stuff ... I think he's a little bit shy that way. But I just think we have to get him to focus on becoming a better player and keeping his priorities right."
For more Missouri news, visit PowerMizzou.com.
- - - - - - -
Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
