Missouri isn’t treating the Gator Bowl like a warm-up act. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz made that crystal clear ahead of the Tigers’ showdown with ACC champion Virginia on Dec. 27 in Jacksonville.
This isn’t a scrimmage, and it’s definitely not a participation trophy game. It’s a statement opportunity - and Missouri is showing up to win.
“This isn't a practice game,” Drinkwitz said. “If somebody can help us win, they'll get to play. But this ain't tryouts.”
That mindset sets the tone for a Mizzou team that’s still largely intact heading into bowl season - a rarity in today’s college football landscape. A majority of the Tigers’ seniors are expected to suit up, which means fans can expect a familiar-looking squad, even with some notable absences due to injuries and transfer portal movement.
Nine Missouri players, including key contributors like quarterback Beau Pribula and wide receivers Joshua Manning and Marquis Johnson, have already declared their intentions to transfer and won’t play in the bowl. Add to that injuries to starting middle linebacker Josiah Trotter and tight end Brett Norfleet, and Mizzou’s depth will be tested. There’s also uncertainty around starting defensive end Zion Young, who was arrested in December on suspicion of DUI and has not yet been cleared to play.
So while this isn’t a tryout, it is an opportunity - especially for younger players looking to carve out a bigger role heading into 2026. With that in mind, here are five Tigers to keep an eye on in the Gator Bowl, each with a chance to turn a bowl game cameo into a springboard for the future.
Matt Zollers, Quarterback
Let’s start with the most obvious name. With Pribula on his way out, the spotlight shifts to Matt Zollers - and this bowl game could be a sneak peek at Missouri’s future under center.
Zollers has already made two starts this season, showing flashes of the arm talent that made him a prized recruit. He looked shaky at times against Texas A&M but bounced back with a strong start in a win over Mississippi State. Like most young quarterbacks, it’s been a mix of promise and growing pains.
Drinkwitz has called Zollers the future of the program. That future might arrive sooner than expected if he delivers against a Virginia defense that knows how to bring pressure. This is his chance to show he can command the offense, protect the football, and make the kinds of throws that win games in the SEC.
DaMarion Fowlkes, Wide Receiver
With Manning and Johnson out, Mizzou’s receiver room is suddenly a little thinner - and that opens the door for someone like DaMarion Fowlkes.
The freshman made his mark this season primarily on special teams, returning seven kickoffs for 186 yards and three punts for 29 yards. But he’s got the kind of speed and shiftiness that could translate to the offensive side of the ball, especially with reps up for grabs on the outside.
Expect veterans like Logan Muckey and Xavier Loyd to see plenty of snaps in their final collegiate game, and Kevin Coleman Jr. will still handle slot duties. But Fowlkes could get a few chances to stretch the field or make something happen in space. If he does, he might just earn himself a bigger role heading into next year.
Daeden Hopkins, Defensive End
Defensive end is where things get really interesting - and complicated. Zion Young’s status is still unresolved.
Damon Wilson II is juggling an NFL decision and a legal dispute over NIL. Javion Hilson is transferring.
That leaves Missouri thin on the edge, and that’s where Daeden Hopkins could step in.
The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman out of Hermann, Missouri, turned heads in fall camp with his length and motor. He only appeared in four games this season, preserving his redshirt. But under current NCAA rules, bowl games don’t count against eligibility, so this is a free shot for Hopkins to get real reps without burning a year.
If he sees the field, it’ll likely be in a rotational role behind Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen. But even limited snaps could be valuable - for both the player and the staff evaluating what the future looks like at one of the most important positions on the field.
Jeremiah Beasley, Middle Linebacker
With Josiah Trotter sidelined, there’s a hole in the heart of the defense - and Jeremiah Beasley might be the guy to help fill it.
Mizzou typically rolls with a four-man linebacker rotation. Nicholas Rodriguez is expected to start, while veterans Khalil Jacobs and Triston Newson will round out the group.
That fourth spot? It’s up for grabs.
Beasley, a sophomore with two years of eligibility left, has been a mainstay on special teams but hasn’t seen much time in the defensive rotation. That could change in Jacksonville.
He’s one of the top candidates, along with true freshman Dante McClellan, to earn a bigger role in 2026. A strong showing in the Gator Bowl could be the first step toward that.
Cameron Keys, Cornerback
Missouri’s cornerback room is about to undergo a major transformation. Toriano Pride, Dreyden Norwood, and Stephen Hall - the trio that handled over 90% of cornerback snaps this season - are all graduating.
That means it’s time to start finding out who’s next.
Enter Cameron Keys, a redshirt freshman from Panama City, Florida, who’s been drawing praise behind the scenes. He hasn’t had many game reps yet, but the coaching staff is high on his potential. And with the Tigers expected to add at least one, possibly two corners via the transfer portal, this bowl game could be a critical audition to show he deserves a spot in the 2026 rotation.
Final Thoughts
Missouri is approaching the Gator Bowl with a win-first mentality - and that’s exactly how it should be. But in today’s college football, where roster turnover is constant and the portal is always looming, bowl games also serve as a proving ground.
For veterans, it’s a final chapter. For young guys like Zollers, Fowlkes, Hopkins, Beasley, and Keys, it’s a chance to take the first step toward something bigger. And for the Tigers as a whole, it’s an opportunity to close the season with momentum and clarity heading into what promises to be a pivotal offseason.
No, it’s not a tryout. But it might be the start of something new.