COLUMBIA - As Drew Lock stood waiting for a meeting with the media Wednesday, he was flanked by offensive linemen Paul Adams and Kevin Pendleton.
It was a symbolic gesture, one that shows the offensive line has his back this year even when answering questions in the Sells Family Dining Hall. Lock returned the favor to his blockers, cutting out of questions briefly to let offensive lineman A.J. Harris know his car was about to be towed.
The sophomore quarterback will have five new starters in front of him when Missouri opens at West Virginia on Sept. 3. Four starters from 2015 graduated and the lone would-be returner Nate Crawford retired due to back injuries.
Yet Lock wouldn't have known they lack experience by watching them in practice.
"I like them a lot," Lock said. "Our offensive line does have a little edge. We've got to come out with confidence every day in practice. If we do, there's no telling what we can put together."
Missouri has yet to announce any starters, however the projected group from left to right is Tyler Howell, Pendleton, Samson Bailey, Alec Abelin and Adams. Abelin is the only one of that group who has started a game for the Tigers, three in 2015 at left guard.
Still, the starting unit has yet to be set in stone. Head coach Barry Odom said he'll see one group during one period of drills, then a completely different one in the next period.
An offensive line scheme has also yet to be finalized, either. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee is first looking for his best five linemen, then will draw something up that suits them.
Last season, Missouri had the worst offense statistically in the Southeastern Conference. The down year in 2015 left Pendleton with something to prove.
"There were countless time where games were put on us and we didn't finish," Pendleton said, "or we didn't get that yard we needed to get, or a time where we couldn't punch it into the end zone and the game came down to a three or four point game. We just can't have that this year, we've got to honestly put it on the line and it's known that we control the line of scrimmage and control the game."
Five new, inexperienced starters might not be the most comforting thought for the Tigers. Even true freshman Trystan Castillo and Tre'Vour Simms were told to come to Missouri with the mindset they won't be redshirting. Odom admitted the ideal situation would be to have fifth-year seniors starting at every spot.
Being doubted, though, has left a "huge" chip on the unit's shoulders.
"We're a young group of guys and so we are ready to go," Pendleton said, "and that chip has been our biggest motivating push you can ask for. We're young and hungry and ready to go."
So far the young group is answering the call. Their coaches are taking notice.
"I've been really impressed with all our news guys," Elarbee said. "The two freshman, Trystan and Tre'Vour Simms, have done a really, really nice job playing above their eyes. Darvis Holmes is going to be a great one for us just because of his athleticism, but he still has to figure out some technique stuff. It's been a good bunch that's come in."
Elarbee was hired in the offseason from Arkansas State after his offensive line helped the Red Wolves finish 12th in scoring offensive and 15th in rushing last season. He coached against Odom in 2012, 2013 and 2015, and when Odom was building his coaching staff he wanted the former Red Wolves assistant.
"He is very, very dialed in to wanting to put together a great offense," Odom said. "He takes it very personal in trying to have the best offensive line that he can have. I've coached against him the last three years in different spots and always came away from those games being impressed with the adjustments he's made and the fundamentals they've played with."
His linemen said there are two personalities to Elarbee: One who screams on the field, and one in the film room who brings more of a funny persona.
The on-the-field version of Elarbee often asks his players to "find their juice." That can lead to bags and chutes going in all directions when drills conclude.
"Whenever he asks us where our juice is at that's when we start going crazy," Adams said, "we'll finish an individual drill and we'll all start throwing stuff, that just kind of starts the practice and keeps on going."
Adams added the attitude Elarbee has instilled in the offensive line has been a bit of a shock to the defense. They have drawn praise for holding up against one of college football's best defenses.
Howell, in particular, has a tough draw at left tackle going against Second Team All-SEC defensive end Charles Harris every play.
"There are times when he'll be beat it'll mess with him for a second but he'll be able to throw that off and go to the next play and learn from it," Pendleton said of his teammate. "He's really taking control and ownership of that spot, and he's having fun with it. He may get Charles one rep, and Charles may get him the next rep, but he knows he's going to get him the next one. It's exciting to see and knowing I got a guy like that on my side."
Getting bested in practice has led to the offensive linemen receiving an earful from Elarbee. Pendleton wouldn't have it any other way.
"He's a passionate dude" Pendleton said. "If I didn't see a crazy guy, like a yelling, screaming guy out on the field when something goes wrong, then I don't want that in a coach."