Missouri football is gearing up for an exciting quarterback competition, and the battle for QB1 is wide open. With a frontrunner arriving from Oxford, Mississippi, Mizzou is ensuring that the starting position is earned, not given.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming competition: "Excited about the quarterback competition that we're going to have this year," he said. "Matt Zollers did an excellent job as a true freshman, but our core value is ‘always compete.’ So, we’ve got added competition with Austin Simmons, Nick Evers, Gavin Sidwar, and Matt Zollers."
This year's spring camp, starting on Friday, Feb. 27, promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent. It’s not unusual for Missouri to have a quarterback battle brewing as the Tigers enter spring camp. Last year, Beau Pribula and Sam Horn vied for the role, while Brady Cook had to earn his spot in previous seasons.
This season, the spotlight is on Austin Simmons. The lefty from Florida spent three years at Ole Miss and was the Rebels’ Week 1 starter last year.
A Week 2 injury sidelined him, allowing Trinidad Chambliss to step in and steal the show. Now, Simmons is ready to prove himself once again.
Simmons’ main competition is Matt Zollers, a former top-100 prospect who was thrust into action last year due to injuries. Zollers had his moments, including a win against Mississippi State, but he’s still developing.
The supporting cast includes Nick Evers, a well-traveled former four-star, and true freshman Gavin Sidwar, a top-25 QB prospect. While the competition is fierce, the real race is likely between Simmons and Zollers.
Mizzou had two paths this offseason: bring in a high-profile transfer for Zollers to chase or a transfer to challenge Zollers. Simmons fits the former, having been a starter for a CFP contender. Last season, he threw for 744 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a notable ability to throw deep, earning a high Pro Football Focus grade.
Simmons’ inexperience is his main hurdle, with only 259 career snaps, just two fewer than Zollers last season. Despite this, Drinkwitz sees potential: "He's very competitive, with natural talent and a good arm. He hasn't played much due to injury, but when given the chance, he’s performed at a high level."
Simmons being a lefty adds an interesting dynamic. Drinkwitz acknowledged the challenges but also the potential: "Left-handed quarterbacks often have to overcome bias, and when they do, they excel. Look at Kellen Moore and Steve Young."
Zollers, meanwhile, showed promise in his rookie season but struggled with consistency, completing just 51.1% of his passes. Yet, he’s being given the chance to grow and compete again.
The Tigers are in no rush to make a decision. As Drinkwitz put it, "The goal for him is to be the best quarterback he can be, compete daily, and be the best teammate. He was thrown into tough situations last season and handled it well."
The stage is set for an intriguing spring camp, and Missouri fans can look forward to seeing who emerges as the Tigers’ new leader under center.