Madison emerges as force on University of Missouri's defensive line

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri knew it nabbed a talented offensive lineman when Brad Madison signed his letter of intent.

But one of the Big 12's best defensive ends?

"He is one of the great recruiting stories of all time," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "I wish we made that mistake more often."

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound junior from Bethany, Mo., made only two starts last season in place of injured Aldon Smith, who now plays for the San Francisco 49ers. But Madison made the most of his opportunities. He led the team with 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles, working his way into the regular rotation early in the season.

Now he's a big producer as a full-time starter.

After recording a sack and four tackles for loss in a 69-0 rout over Western Illinois on Saturday night, Madison again leads the team in sacks (three) and tackles for loss (five) heading into the Big 12 opener at top-ranked Oklahoma. He also forced a fumble against Western Illinois, which tied him with Brayden Burnett for the team lead.

"I'm just trying to work hard every day and whatever happens, happens," Madison said. I'm trying to come out every week and be more consistent than I was last year."

Like virtually all of the starters, Madison is fresh for this week's challenge. The Sooners are three-touchdown favorites to get revenge for the Tigers' upset in Columbia, Mo., last year that knocked them from No. 1.

Madison played only 27 plays against Western Illinois compared to 60 or more during a normal game. Missouri allowed only 44 yards and one first down.

"We did everything almost perfect in that game," Madison said. "People may look at the opponent and say, 'Wow, they're a bad team,' but we did everything right.

"We played a flawless game, I think."

Madison, who was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last year and a preseason first-team pick this year, said the accolades don't add any pressure. The key is to remain focused on the task at hand.

Madison moved to defensive end in 2009 and played in 12 of 13 games after playing offensive line on the scout team his redshirt year in 2008.

"It was pretty big," Madison said. "It's a completely different game. But I played that in high school, so it was something I was kind of used to, so it was all right."