COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Missouri coach Barry Odom announced Tuesday that two football players are leaving the program.
Running back Chase Abbington and offensive tackle Malik Cuellar, both juniors, notified Odom this week of their intentions to end their football careers.
"Chase visited with me a couple days ago and he's decided to quit football," Odom said. "I support him on trying to finish this semester academically the correct way, which he needs to do.
"Malik Cuellar came in today and decided football was not going to be in his future."
Abbington committed to Missouri in 2013 as a senior at Fort Zumwalt South High School in St. Louis before playing two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. He had six carries for 39 yards and one catch for five yards during the 2015-16 season.
Cuellar, who transferred from City College of San Francisco, appeared in eight games last season and played both left and right tackle.
"I don't want to lose anybody, because I feel like I'd like an opportunity to be able to mentor every guy that we've got on the roster," Odom said. "And when that is cut short, for whatever reason, it's frustrating."
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
