Tuley will fill one hole of many on the defensive depth chart.
Mizzou added another depth piece to its defensive front last week with the commitment of Cavan Tuley, a linebacker-turned-edge defender from the University of Houston who figures to help fortify special teams and provide valued rotational support in 2026.
Tuley, a 6-2, 255-pound East Texas native, played in 11 of 12 games for the Cougars in 2025, contributing primarily on special teams with 111 snaps and helping Houston’s punt return defense rank among the best in the Big 12. He recorded one tackle in a win over Kansas State and comes to Mizzou with two years of eligibility remaining.
Where he fits
At Mizzou, Tuley is projected to be a core contributor on special teams and serve as a reserve and depth piece at defensive end/outside linebacker. While not expected to play significant snaps on defense in 2026, his versatility and experience in multiple roles should make him a useful rotational option across the defensive front throughout the season.
Tuley also reunites with defensive ends coach Brian Early, who coached on the Houston staff from 2019–23 before joining the Tigers. Early’s familiarity with Tuley and his development philosophy could help ease the transition and maximize his impact at Mizzou.
When he’ll play
Expect Tuley on the field immediately on special teams once the season begins. While he could earn spot defensive snaps, he’s likely to begin the year no higher than second team on the depth chart at defensive end, barring injury or an unexpected breakout in early practices.
What it means
Tuley’s addition isn’t the headline-grabbing portal splash that will tickle the fancies of Tiger fans, but it does appear to be part of a broader effort by the Mizzou coaches to restock a defense that saw plenty of roster turnover after the 2025 season. Turnover that saw the losses of both productive veterans to graduation and younger players to the portal.
Depth, particularly along the edge and in special teams units, is a key priority as the Tigers prepare for another grind through the SEC. Plus it’s important for Mizzou fans to remember that Drinkwitz now has 105 scholarships to fill. In the past, you might wonder if a guy like Tuley is worth the 85th scholarship, but in modern college football, you need players of Tuley’s versitility to fill out your roster, even if he ranks as the 96th best guy on scholarship.
In a portal class that mixes impact starters, developmental pieces and special teams contributors, Tuley represents a pragmatic pickup: a versatile, experienced player who brings value in hidden-yardage situations and can be counted on to push the higher-rated players on the roster for playing time.
Category: General Sports
