Mizzou Tigers running back Tyler Badie is unanimous AP All-SEC first team selection

Lila Bromberg
·2 min read
Missouri running back Tyler Badie (1) runs the ball against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

For the first time since 2014, three Missouri Tigers football players earned a spot on the Associated Press’ All-SEC first team.

Running back Tyler Badie was one of three unanimous selections announced on Wednesday, making the first team alongside Mizzou kicker Harrison Mevis and center Michael Maietti.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was selected SEC offensive player of the year. Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was the defensive player of the year. Anderson and wide receiver teammate Jameson Williams joined Badie as the unanimous All-SEC first-team selections.

Badie, a senior, won the SEC football scholar-athlete of the year award last week and is also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in the country. He finished the regular season with the most rushing yards (1,604) of any player in the conference, good for third in the country and an average of 133.7 yards per game.

The Mizzou running back recorded over 200 rushing yards in five games in 2021, becoming the first SEC player to do so in a single season this century. Badie made program history as well by passing Devin West’s single-season rushing record of 1,578 yards, set in 1998. Badie is also the Tigers’ first first-team all-conference running back since Henry Josey in 2011, when Missouri was in the Big 12.

Badie’s 14 rushing touchdowns tied with Alabama’s Brian Robinson for the most in the SEC during the regular season and his 18 total touchdowns led the league. Badie was also first in the SEC and second in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,939).

Mevis made 20 field goals for the Tigers this season, which ranks second in the conference and is tied for sixth in the country. He only missed two attempts for a field goal percentage of 90.9%, which was also second in the league. The player with the highest percentage, South Carolina’s Parker White, had 14 attempts to Mevis’ 22.

As a sophomore this season, Mevis led the conference in field goals made between 40-49 yards with 11. He also drilled three field goals beyond 50 yards, which ranked second.

Maietti was a key leader for Missouri’s offensive line, whose blocking played a crucial role in Badie’s success this season. He has spent the last two years in Columbia after transferring from Rutgers and has recorded 55 career starts at center.

Mizzou football plays Army in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on Dec. 22.