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When Missouri offensive line coach Brandon Jones talks about the outside zone, it isn’t just another scheme in the playbook. For him, it’s a foundational belief system—an identity. At the 2024 C.O.O.L. Clinic, Jones laid out why the play is central to his philosophy, how his journey shaped his approach, and the keys that make the scheme thrive in the SEC.
A Philosophy Rooted in Mentorship
Jones traces his conviction about outside zone back to formative experiences with some of the game’s greats. Early in his career, he had the rare opportunity to sit down with Alex Gibbs—the legendary Denver Broncos line coach known as the “godfather” of the scheme. Gibbs spent days dissecting Jones’ film, critiquing every detail and reinforcing what it takes to master the play.
That influence still drives Jones today:
“You can’t run outside zone? You can’t play here. If you don’t like outside zone, you don’t belong here. If you don’t execute the outside zone, we won’t win here.”
Why Outside Zone? The Numbers Don’t Lie
Jones’ belief is backed by results. Statistically, outside zone consistently produces explosive plays across both college football and the NFL. He points to the 49ers, Packers, Cowboys, and Lions as models of execution.
At Missouri in 2023, the Tigers’ offensive line embraced the scheme and saw it pay off:
- 25 explosive plays generated off outside zone.
- 937 rushing yards on 162 attempts (5.8 YPC).
- 370 yards before contact—the highest in college football.
- Running back Cody Schrader led the SEC in rushing and finished second nationally, with nearly 300 of his 723 outside zone yards coming before first contact.
These are the kinds of metrics that bring schemes alive; they prove that when fundamentals are mastered, the outside zone doesn't just work—it can dominate.
Current Momentum: Mizzou in 2025
Missouri’s 2025 campaign has turned heads—and for good reason. After a 29-20 win over South Carolina, they’ve climbed into the national rankings, currently sitting around #20 in most polls. Rock M Nation+2SI+2
In that South Carolina game:
- The running backs combo of Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts combined for 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with Hardy alone going for 138. Rock M Nation+2ESPN.com+2
- The Tigers finished with 285 rushing yards, while South Carolina posted –9 yards on the ground. ESPN.com+2Rock M Nation+2
- The defense generated significant disruptive plays, including five sacks and holding South Carolina nearly groundless on the rush. Rock M Nation+2ESPN.com+2
Over the season so far, Mizzou’s offense is averaging 298.0 yards on the ground per game (#5 ranked) and about 554 yards of total offense per game (#6).
Keys to Execution
Running outside zone in the SEC requires more than belief. Jones emphasizes precise fundamentals, relentless drill work, and a relentless tempo against some of the nation’s best defensive linemen.
Core principles include:
- Landmarks & Aiming Points: Keep the run as vertical as possible while maintaining tempo and control at the line of scrimmage.
- Everyday Drills: Base blocks, catch-hand drills, cut drills, and second-level fits are daily staples. Jones believes missed backside cuts alone cost Mizzou 150–300 rushing yards in 2023.
- Half-Line Work: Inspired by Jim Turner’s teachings, Jones constantly trains his line against “junk” fronts and varied alignments, ensuring they can handle the chaos of modern defenses.
In the recent South Carolina game, those fundamentals showed up: the running backs repeatedly found crease after crease, and the offensive line held up against pressure all game long. The late-game push was powered by balance and physicality up front.
Culture and Buy-In
Jones credits head coach Eli Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore for fully committing to the scheme. Moore, in particular, leaned on outside zone midseason last year and has leaned heavily into it this year, allowing Jones to instill belief in his players, who have responded with toughness and precision.
The buy-in is evident in performances like Hardy’s, who now has built momentum through the first four games—showing breakaway ability, balance, and patience in the zone scheme. The line, too—even with injuries or new starters—is producing, opening up space, generating movement, and sustaining blocks downfield.
Conclusion: Owning the Edge
For Brandon Jones, outside zone is more than a play—it’s a mindset. It demands precision, toughness, and unity from the offensive line, while rewarding teams with explosive plays, offensive balance, and the kind of ball-control dominance that wins tight games.
With Missouri sitting among the top-25, putting up nearly 300 rushing yards per game, averaging over 550 total yards, and showing that physicality over South Carolina, it’s clear that this Offense is not just executing a scheme—it’s making it their identity.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
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