Missouri’s quarterback picture changed fast last season, and Matt Zollers was the one who got shoved into the spotlight.
What started as a depth-chart situation quickly turned into a survival test for the Tigers. Sam Horn, the projected starter, went down with a season-ending leg injury early in the year.
Later, backup Beau Pribula also suffered a leg injury that ended his season. That left Zollers, a true freshman, to handle a role he wasn’t supposed to inherit so soon.
The results came with the usual freshman turbulence. Zollers threw for 503 yards, completed 53.4% of his passes, and finished with four touchdowns and two interceptions. But even in the uneven stretches, his arm strength stood out and gave Missouri fans a real look at what he might become.
Now the Tigers have a new starter in Austin Simmons, the Ole Miss transfer who signed with Missouri in early January and was later named QB1. Zollers no longer has the job, but Eli Drinkwitz made it clear at SEC Media Days that the freshman’s value to the program goes well beyond the depth chart.
“I want to take a moment to mention Matt Zollers. Matt Zollers, the day and age in college football when it's easier to leave than stay, chose to stay.
When it's easier to pout than to buck up, he's done that. He has bucked up.
He's been a tremendous leader for our football team. He has challenged Austin every single day to be at his best,” Drinkwitz said.
That decision to stay matters in the transfer-portal era, and Missouri is counting on that kind of buy-in inside its quarterback room. Zollers could have looked elsewhere after losing the starting job, but he remained with the Tigers and kept working.
Drinkwitz also said he sees plenty of growth ahead for the young passer.
“I look forward to the growth of Matt Zollers. He is a quarterback that can play and can play at a really high level. I can't wait to continue to watch him grow and develop,” Drinkwitz said.
Missouri’s quarterback group now includes Simmons, Nick Evers - the former UConn and Oklahoma transfer - and Zollers. It’s a room with experience, talent, and a lot still to sort out, and how it holds together in fall camp will be one of the more important things to watch for the Tigers heading into the 2026 season.
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