Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz didn’t hold back when asked about the current mess around college football eligibility, and he made it clear he thinks the whole thing has gone off the rails.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Drinkwitz called the situation “a complete clown show.” He said the sport has let the issue linger for too long and now finds itself in a spot that feels entirely avoidable.
“This is the second-biggest sport in the United States, most-watched sport in the United States, and for us to be operating like this is a complete clown show. And it’s disappointing,” Drinkwitz said.
He added that coaches have been warning about this for years. “Coaches have been on the forefront of saying this, and it’s been ignored. It’s been ignored.”
Drinkwitz also made it plain that, from his perspective, the people in charge are now dealing with the consequences of not sorting it out sooner. “And you know I would say now the, this is what they get.
That’s what they’ve got. So, you know administrators and courtrooms have got to figure out what the rules are now.
And we’ve been saying this for years and years and years.”
For now, he said his focus stays on Missouri and whatever options the program is given. “So, you know, I’m going to focus on my team.
If I’m told that I can add players, then then I’ll look to add players. I’m going to do whatever I’m supposed to do to help the University of Missouri win.
That’s my job. That’s what the president, the board, and the fans expect out of me.”
Drinkwitz’s comments didn’t exactly win over the online crowd. Social media responses quickly turned on him, with some users framing the issue as jealousy toward bigger programs that can bring NFL players back to college, while others took shots at Missouri’s recent decision to claim a national championship in 1960.
“The only clown show is Missouri and the all of the teams who claim 1960 as their natty,” one user replied.
“Don’t worry little bro nobody from the NFL wants to play for Missouri,” wrote another.
“Sounds like a team that can’t recruit those caliber of players…” a third wrote.
“Claiming a National Championship is embarrassing…”
The larger eligibility fight isn’t settled yet, and the 2026 college football season has already started, though the teams involved won’t actually take the field until next week. Whether any of those former NFL players show up in college lineups in seven days remains to be seen, but that’s when the situation may finally get a real test.
In Other News...
Missouri Volleyball Already Has New Faces Fans Will Notice
Missouri closed out the Mizzou Invitational with another clean sweep, handling Idaho in straight sets and finishing the weekend unbeaten. The Tigers kept rolling through the final match of the event with steady production across the lineup, as Ainoah Cruz anchored the back row with 13 digs and Sierra Dudley directed the offense with 23 assists.
Lauren Larkin was one of the new faces worth noticing, making her first appearance for Missouri and immediately looking like a piece that can fit into the rotation. The junior led the Tigers at the net with 10 kills and three blocks, giving Missouri a fresh presence as the early-season unbeaten run continues to build some real momentum. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzous New Leadership Core Says Plenty About This 2026 Team
Mizzous 2026 leadership group is now set, and the mix of names offers a useful snapshot of where the program is heading under a new offensive voice. The Tigers chose Cayden Green, Dominick Giudice and Jamal Roberts on offense, Nicholas Rodriguez and Santana Banner on defense, and Blake Craig on special teams, giving the roster a clear set of standards-bearers as Chip Lindsey takes over as offensive coordinator after Kirby Moores departure to Washington State.
For a team that will open its season Sept. 5 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the captaincy announcement does more than fill out a preseason formality. It points to a locker room being handed over to familiar faces at a time when continuity matters, especially with a new play-caller in place and expectations building around how quickly the Tigers can settle into the next version of their identity. [Read more 🡒]
Missouris First Depth Chart Just Raised New Questions Before The Opener
Missouri finally put something tangible on paper this week, unveiling its first official depth chart for the 2026 season five days before the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. After a month of fall camp and preseason practices, the chart offered the clearest snapshot yet of how the Tigers are sorting out starters and backups heading into game week, giving fans their first real look at where the roster stands.
Even so, the list did not settle everything. A few positions still come with OR designations, keeping some of the biggest decisions open at running back, tight end, linebacker and across multiple spots in the secondary. The quarterback picture, in particular, is now a little clearer, but Missouri still has enough unresolved competition to make the first game week feel like more than a formality. [Read more 🡒]