The regular season may be in the books, but December is anything but quiet in Columbia. Missouri football wrapped up its 2025 campaign with a convincing 31-17 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville, closing out the regular season at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in SEC play. It’s a solid finish, and with a bowl game still to come, the Tigers have a shot at hitting a milestone that would tie the best three-year stretch in program history - 30 wins since the start of 2023.
But before we get to bowl season, there’s plenty to unpack. From coaching contracts to NFL Draft decisions, December is shaping up to be a pivotal month for Mizzou’s future. Let’s dive into the five biggest storylines to watch as the calendar flips.
1. Eli Drinkwitz’s Extension and What It Means for the Staff
Eli Drinkwitz isn’t going anywhere - at least not for a while. Missouri locked up its head coach with a new deal that runs through 2031 and carries a total value of $64.5 million. That’s an average of $10.75 million per year, putting him in elite company across college football.
What we don’t know yet are the finer details - buyouts, incentives, and perhaps most importantly, the assistant coach salary pool. There’s chatter that Drinkwitz will have a top-four budget in the SEC for his staff, but nothing official has been confirmed. What is clear is that some key contracts are nearing expiration.
Special teams coordinator Erik Link, defensive ends coach Brian Early, running backs coach Curtis Luper, wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler, and cornerbacks coach Al Pogue all have deals set to expire on January 31, 2026. That’s just around the corner.
While most of these coaches are expected to return, Link’s unit may raise some questions. Missouri’s special teams have lagged behind this season, ranking 109th out of 136 FBS teams in ESPN’s SP+ metric.
That’s a spot where a change - or at least a serious evaluation - might be on the table.
2. Early Signing Day: Stability Pays Off
December 3 marks Early Signing Day, and thanks to Drinkwitz’s extension, the Tigers head into it with some rare peace of mind. Coaching uncertainty can derail a recruiting class in a hurry, but that’s not a concern this time around.
Mizzou is expected to sign 21 players on Wednesday. The class is currently ranked No. 25 nationally and No. 11 in the SEC, according to 247Sports. That’s a strong showing, especially in a conference where recruiting battles are some of the fiercest in the country.
While there’s always the potential for some last-minute movement - a flip here, a surprise commit there - the expectation is that this will be a relatively smooth signing day in Columbia. And in the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, no drama is good drama.
3. NFL Draft Decisions Loom for Key Juniors
The transfer portal window doesn’t open until January 2, but before that, Missouri will have some internal recruiting to do. Several third-year players are eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and their decisions could shape the 2026 roster in a big way.
Defensive end Damon Wilson II, left tackle Cayden Green, and middle linebacker Josiah Trotter are all draft-eligible and all highly regarded - each currently ranks inside the top 125 on the Mock Draft Database consensus board. Tight end Brett Norfleet, another junior, is also on the radar at No. 207.
Getting even one or two of these guys back would be a major win. All four have been impact players, and their return would give Missouri a strong foundation on both sides of the ball heading into next season. But with draft stock rising and professional opportunities ahead, the Tigers will have to make a compelling case to keep them in black and gold for another year.
4. Ahmad Hardy’s Historic Season and Doak Walker Finalist Nod
Ahmad Hardy has been electric all season, and now he’s got a shot at national recognition. The sophomore running back is one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the best running back in college football.
Joining Hardy in the final three are Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love - a St. Louis native - and Ole Miss standout Kewan Lacy, who spent last season at Mizzou before transferring. It’s a tight race, and the numbers tell the story:
- Hardy: 241 carries, 1,560 yards (6.5 yards per carry), 16 touchdowns
- Love: 199 carries, 1,372 yards (6.9 yards per carry), 18 touchdowns
- Lacy: 258 carries, 1,279 yards (5.0 yards per carry), 20 touchdowns
Hardy’s consistency and explosiveness have been a cornerstone of Missouri’s offense, and he’s closing in on history. He needs just 68 more rushing yards to break Cody Schrader’s single-season school record of 1,627 yards, set in 2023.
That mark is well within reach when the Tigers take the field for their bowl game. The Doak Walker winner will be announced on December 12.
5. Quarterback Clarity Coming Soon?
Missouri’s quarterback situation for 2026 is one of the biggest questions heading into the offseason, and we might get a clue in the upcoming bowl game.
Beau Pribula still has one year of eligibility, and he’s shown plenty of grit this season - battling back from an ankle dislocation and leading the Tigers through a tough SEC slate. But freshman Matt Zollers has made his case too, starting two games while Pribula was sidelined and flashing the kind of upside that gets coaches excited.
The Tigers could bring both back and let the competition play out in spring and fall camp. But in the transfer portal era, nothing is guaranteed.
Players want opportunities, and starting jobs are currency. If Mizzou sticks with Pribula as the starter, the staff will need to work to ensure Zollers stays in the fold.
After all, they’ve publicly called him the future of the program.
If the coaching staff believes that future starts now, the bowl game might be the perfect time to hand him the reins again.
What’s Next?
Missouri will learn its bowl destination on Sunday, December 7. A win there would cap off a strong season and give the Tigers 30 victories over the past three years - tying the best run in program history. But beyond the bowl game, December is shaping up to be a defining month for the Tigers.
From locking in recruits to retaining top talent and setting the tone for 2026, there’s no shortage of storylines. The regular season may be over, but for Mizzou, the real work is just beginning.