Missouri linebacker Will Ebner stays healthy, makes impact

Missouri linebacker Will Ebner has battled injuries throughout his career, but is healthy and producing for the Tigers in their first season in the SEC. Ebner will be key to the defensive effort Saturday against the Vanderbilt Commodores as the Tigers still search for their first in-conference SEC win.

Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel appreciates what Ebner has been able to do this season:

"Will is a talented player -- he's just been hurt his whole career. It's just now that you get to see him play every week that you see what kind of player he is and how talented he is and how tough he is. Now he's a senior, a captain, a leader, and doing some really great things on a consistent basis."

Ebner had 12 tackles (seven solo) in the Tigers' win over Central Florida last weekend and 14 (11 solo) two weeks ago in a loss to South Carolina. Pinkel is glad people are taking notice:

"It's certainly nice to see that and it's great for him too, because the guy has been hurt so much in his career that its nice to finally go out and play and people can see what kind of player he is."