Columbia, Mo. ? After amassing 26 sacks in two seasons at Pearl River (Miss.) Junior College, Brian Coulter was anointed the No. 2 juco defensive end prospect in the nation and signed at Florida State.

But when the Seminoles were stripped of scholarships in the face of a scandal, Coulter became a Missouri find — even if he felt lost most of last season between his relatively late arrival and nagging injuries.

“Things were going real fast,” he said. “Some of the coaches were getting in your ear and stuff, and you were so scared about making a mistake that you got out there and kind of played half-speed.”

By season’s end, though, Coulter had contoured into the system, making nine tackles in MU’s overtime victory over Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl. And he’s only gained momentum since.

“Leaps and bounds,” defensive coordinator Dave Steckel said.

Anticipation of such improvement at both ends is running rampant among fans and prognosticators, despite the loss of starters Tommy Chavis and Stryker Sulak.

“I don’t think anybody from the outside can match the expectations we have as a coaching staff,” Steckel said.

Coulter and counterparts Aldon Smith and Jacquies Smith are all considered starters at the two positions so pivotal for a defense that last season was one of two in major college football that allowed more than 4,000 yards passing.

Similarities notwithstanding — each is swift, nimble and in the realm of 6 feet 4, 250 pounds — they aren’t exactly interchangeable parts.

The consensus of the trio is that Jacquies Smith is the fastest, Aldon Smith the most athletic with the lowest body fat and Coulter is the strongest, “with those guns on his arms,” as Jacquies Smith put it.

The breathless outlook seems well-founded, but MU coach Gary Pinkel can’t help but flash a caution light.

“They’re talented, but that doesn’t make you a good football player,” he said, adding, “Can you bring it each play?”

Whether they can will make a profound difference in perception of the defense, which had its moments last season but often was porous.

And so what if MU’s talents are relatively inexperienced entering the opener against Illinois on Sept. 5 at the Edward Jones Dome?

“Nobody cares. Right?” Pinkel said, smiling and adding, “To say (they’re) real good players yet, we’ve got to go prove that.”