This story is part of the KU Edition, a special section that runs in the Lawrence Journal-World.

After a successful string of pocket passers, the Missouri Tigers are putting their faith in a dual-threat quarterback in 2011.

James Franklin — a 6-foot-2, 225-pound sophomore who didn’t even letter for the Tigers last season — is expected to start at QB for the Tigers in their first game Sept. 3 against Miami (Ohio).

“I think he can extend the play,” MU coach Gary Pinkel said. “I think he can also do damage with his feet, not only in the passing game but the running game. We really haven’t had that since we had Brad Smith.”

It should certainly be different.

With Chase Daniel or Blaine Gabbert under center the last five seasons, Missouri ranked in the top half of the Big 12 in passing yards per game each season. In three of those years, MU ranked third or higher.

Pinkel said the Tigers would cater their offense to Franklin’s strengths, which could mean more commitment to running the ball.

Not that the coach is going to shy away from passing when he needs to.

“(He’s) got a good arm. Throws the ball well. He’s got a good touch,” Pinkel said of Franklin. “He’s got a lot going for him. And I’m excited for him.”

One positive for Franklin is that he appears to be entering a stable situation.

MU returns nine offensive starters, including preseason all-Big 12 selection Michael Egnew at tight end. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound senior was a 2010 consensus first-team All-American after posting 90 catches and 762 receiving yards.

Interestingly, the Tigers also return every player that caught a pass last season and every player other than Gabbert that rushed for at least one yard.

“That’s what I’m concerned with: Can those four offensive linemen, receivers, running backs, tight ends — can all those guys play up their game to a different level?” Pinkel said. “If they can do that, James Franklin is going to be fine.”

Defensively, the Tigers should be talented and deep up front — and that’s even after losing defensive end Aldon Smith, who was drafted seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in April.

Junior Brad Madison — a preseason all-Big 12 pick at defensive line — led MU with 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss last season even though he wasn’t a starter.

Senior Jacquies Smith also returns after notching 10 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and two interceptions in 2010.

On special teams, Missouri has one of the nation’s most accurate kickers in senior Grant Ressel.

A preseason All-Big 12 pick, Ressel has made 43 of 46 field goals (93.5 percent) in the last two seasons for the Tigers.