Mizzou Evaluates Quarterback Competition Ahead of Spring Practices

Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz breaks down the team's QB room, including new transfer Austin Simmons

Feb. 26, 2026 at 10:35pm

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For the second straight offseason, Missouri's quarterback room has undergone significant changes. With just one returner, Matt Zollers, the Tigers' depth chart looks quite different heading into spring practices. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz labeled the position as an open competition, with Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons emerging as the likely front-runner. Simmons, a left-handed passer, will bring a new dynamic to Mizzou's offense that coaches are working to accommodate. Behind Simmons is UConn transfer Nick Evers, who started eight games for the Huskies in 2024. Drinkwitz praised Zollers for his maturity in handling unexpected playing time last season and sees him as the "future" of the QB position, though he'll have to compete to earn the starting job this year.

Why it matters

Missouri's quarterback situation has been in flux the last couple seasons, so stabilizing the position will be crucial for the Tigers' success in 2026. Simmons' arrival as the likely starter brings both excitement and challenges, as the coaching staff works to adapt the offense to his left-handed throwing style. The development of Zollers, who Drinkwitz views as the long-term answer at QB, will also be closely watched.

The details

Simmons was one of Missouri's top transfer additions, coming in as the 12th-ranked QB in the portal. He started at Ole Miss in 2024 before suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. Coaches praised his intelligence, arm strength, and ability to run. Evers, a four-star recruit out of high school, has bounced around from Oklahoma to Wisconsin to UConn, where he started 8 games in 2024. As for Zollers, the young QB was thrust into unexpected playing time last season due to injuries, and Drinkwitz believes he handled the situation well despite struggling at times.

  • Spring practices for Missouri begin on Friday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Eli Drinkwitz

The head football coach at the University of Missouri.

Austin Simmons

A left-handed quarterback who transferred to Missouri from Ole Miss, where he was the starting QB before suffering an ankle injury in 2024.

Matt Zollers

The lone returning quarterback on Missouri's roster, who was thrust into unexpected playing time last season due to injuries to the top options.

Nick Evers

A quarterback who transferred to Missouri from UConn, where he started 8 games in 2024 after previous stints at Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Garrett Riley

Missouri's quarterbacks coach.

Chip Lindsey

Missouri's offensive coordinator, who has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks at previous stops.

Ahmad Hardy

A Missouri running back who commented on adjusting to Simmons' left-handed throwing style.

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What they’re saying

“Excited about the quarterback competition that we're going to have this year. ... For us, core value No. 1 is always compete. And so there's going to have to be added competition.”

— Eli Drinkwitz, Head Coach (si.com)

“He's left handed, so it's kind of weird. I mean, used to a right handed quarterback.”

— Ahmad Hardy, Running Back (si.com)

“I thought he was really thrown into some (disadvantageous) situations. I thought he handled it remarkably well, and I think he just got to continue to grow and get better develop every day.”

— Eli Drinkwitz, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

The competition at quarterback will continue throughout Missouri's spring practices, with Drinkwitz and his staff evaluating the options before naming a starter ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Missouri's quarterback room is in a much better position heading into 2026 compared to last season, with the addition of proven transfers like Austin Simmons and Nick Evers to go along with the continued development of Matt Zollers. Whichever QB emerges as the starter, the Tigers' offense should be in good hands as they look to build on their recent success.