Missouri linebacker Andrew Wilson attempts to tackle Illinois punt returner Darius Millines during Missouri's 23-13 win over Illinois at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. Wilson will start at linebacker against McNeese State in the absence of Will Ebner and Luke Lambert. (Photo by JJ Stankevitz)

Most college football teams have to scramble to replace a first round NFL draft pick. And while national media spent the offseason questioning how Missouri would replace 2010 first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon, followers of the program quietly pointed to the amount of depth Missouri had accrued at the linebacker position.

One week into the 2010 season, Missouri is prepared to test that depth. With a hamstring pull sidelining senior linebacker Luke Lambert, three of Missouri’s top six linebackers will be unavailable for Saturday’s game against McNeese State. Donovan Bonner was lost prior to the season with an ACL tear that prompted him to take a redshirt in what would have been his sophomore season. Junior Will Ebner is still serving a suspension for his August DWI arrest.

Thus far, the attrition has yet to reach Missouri’s starting outside linebackers, as senior Andrew Gachkar and junior Zaviar Gooden are both expected to play and start on Saturday. But the absence of Lambert and Ebner leaves Andrew Wilson, a redshirt freshman from Peculiar, Mo., as the presumptive starter at middle linebacker. Wilson saw his first NCAA-level playing time last Saturday, contributing on special teams and registering an unassisted tackle.

The attrition also opens up possible playing time for true freshman Darvin Ruise, a Florida native who impressed coaches and reporters throughout fall camp. Ruise first turned heads as the newcomer assuming Weatherspoon’s number 12 uniform but quickly earned praise despite transitioning to linebacker from safety, the position he played in high school in addition to quarterbacking its option offense.

Ruise will likely be available Saturday as an emergency option at the weakside linebacker spot, though coach Gary Pinkel will likely leave him sidelined to preserve Ruise’s redshirt.

Pinkel addressed the linebacker situation on Monday: