Mizzou’s NFL QB Pipeline Rolls On, and Drew Lock Joins the Club of Champions
There’s something quietly impressive brewing in Columbia, Missouri - a steady stream of quarterbacks who may not be headlining NFL offenses, but are carving out long, meaningful careers in the league. Chase Daniel started the trend.
Blaine Gabbert kept it going. Now, Drew Lock has added his name to the list, and he’s done it in style.
Last night, Lock became the latest former Mizzou signal-caller to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as a backup quarterback, as his Seahawks rolled past the Patriots, 29-13. It’s a win that puts him in rarefied air among Tigers alumni, joining Daniel and Gabbert as former Mizzou QBs with a ring - even if it’s from the sideline.
And here’s the thing: with how dominant Seattle’s defense looked, it’s not hard to imagine Lock stepping in and still steering the team to a win. That’s not a knock on the starter - it’s a nod to the confidence Lock inspires when he’s on the field. He’s shown flashes of starter-caliber talent throughout his career, and even as a backup, he’s proven to be a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Of course, every fan wants to see their college quarterbacks become franchise guys in the NFL. But there’s real pride in watching them play meaningful roles on Super Bowl-caliber teams.
Drew Lock’s journey hasn’t been easy - especially after losing his father, Andy, in April - which makes this moment all the more meaningful. It’s a testament to his resilience, and it’s a win that hits close to home for Mizzou fans.
And let’s not forget, there were Tigers making an impact on both sides of the ball. Offensive linemen Yasir Durant and Marcus Bryant suited up for the Patriots and helped them reach this stage. Even in defeat, their presence on the biggest stage speaks volumes about the kind of talent Mizzou continues to develop.
Mizzou Men’s Hoops: No Apologies for Winning Ugly
Shifting gears to the hardwood - Missouri’s win over South Carolina may not have been a masterpiece, but it was a win that mattered. In a season where the Tigers’ non-conference resume leaves a lot to be desired, every SEC victory carries extra weight. And this one could prove pivotal.
It’s likely to go down as a Quad 2 win, with South Carolina hovering just below the NET Top 75. But in the eyes of the selection committee, stacking up those conference wins is the only way Mizzou keeps its name in the March Madness conversation. There’s no room for style points right now - just results.
From here on out, the road gets steeper. The SEC is no cakewalk, and the Tigers know they’ll need to battle through the grind.
But if they keep finding ways to win - even the ugly ones - they’ll give themselves a shot. And at this point in the season, that’s all you can ask for.
Mizzou Women’s Hoops Hit a Wall vs. Georgia
The women’s team, meanwhile, hit a bump in the road against a tough Georgia squad. After torching opponents for 80+ points in three straight games, Mizzou’s offense came back down to earth in a frustrating loss.
Grace Slaughter, who’s been one of the Tigers’ most reliable scoring options, had a rare off night. She missed 10 of her first 11 shots and finished 4-for-15 from the field - just 26.7%. That’s tied for the third-lowest shooting percentage of her career in games where she’s taken at least 10 shots.
It was a tough outing, no doubt. But it’s also important to consider the context.
Georgia’s defense is legit - they’re a team that probably should be ranked - and the Tigers were playing shorthanded. Jordana Reisma missed her second straight game with a lower leg injury, and with Linthacum still sidelined this season, Mizzou is operating with a razor-thin frontcourt.
Just nine healthy players suited up, and when you’re that short on depth, there’s only so much you can do against a physical, defensive-minded team like Georgia.
Still, the clock is ticking on postseason hopes. The Tigers will need to regroup quickly if they want to stay in the hunt.
Around the Program
Elsewhere, the buzz around Mizzou Football continues as offseason evaluations ramp up. Position-by-position breakdowns are underway, and the conversation is heating up around potential additions via the transfer portal. On the basketball side, fans are dissecting every play from the South Carolina win and keeping a close eye on how the bracketology picture evolves.
It’s that time of year when every possession, every snap, and every headline matters. And for Mizzou fans, there’s plenty to be proud of - and plenty to keep an eye on.