Mizzou’s Quarterback Battle Is Back - And This Time, It’s a Three-Way Race
For the second straight spring, Missouri football heads into camp with a genuine quarterback competition on its hands. But unlike last year’s two-man duel, 2026 brings a deeper - and arguably more intriguing - three-way battle for the starting job.
With Beau Pribula transferring to Virginia and Sam Horn opting for a professional baseball career, the Tigers had to reload their QB room. Enter Austin Simmons and Nick Evers - two very different additions with very different paths, both joining returning redshirt freshman Matt Zollers to form a new-look quarterback trio.
Let’s break down what Evers brings to the table, how he fits into this race, and what it all means for Mizzou heading into a pivotal season.
Nick Evers: The Journeyman With Something Left to Prove
If experience counts for anything - and in quarterback battles, it often does - Nick Evers brings a compelling case. He’s entering his fifth year of college football with one year of eligibility remaining, and he’s seen more than his fair share of campuses. Stops at Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and most recently UConn have given him a unique perspective and a well-traveled résumé.
Now, let’s be clear: Evers wasn’t lighting up scoreboards last season. As UConn’s starter in 2024, he threw for 918 yards at a modest 5.1 yards per attempt and added 245 rushing yards at 3.1 per carry. Those aren’t numbers that jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the whole story.
Evers is a former blue-chip recruit with dual-threat ability. He’s got the frame - tall and athletic - and the tools to make plays at the Power Five level.
The talent is there. The question is whether he can finally put it all together in Columbia.
That’s the bet he’s making on himself.
Where He Fits in Mizzou’s QB Room
Let’s be honest: on paper, Evers enters as the underdog in this battle. Matt Zollers is the homegrown prospect, hand-picked by Eli Drinkwitz and already familiar with the playbook. Austin Simmons arrives with serious buzz - and a serious NIL deal - after transferring in from a College Football Playoff semi-finalist.
Evers? He’s the seasoned vet.
The guy who’s taken real snaps, faced real defenses, and been through the grind of a full college season. That kind of experience matters, especially in a room where the other two quarterbacks have yet to start a game at the Power Five level.
What separates Evers is his mobility. While Zollers and Simmons are more traditional pocket passers, Evers brings a bit more versatility.
He’s not a burner, but he can extend plays and keep defenses honest. That could give him an edge in certain packages - or even in a tight QB race where every little advantage matters.
How Much He Plays? That’s Up to Him
Make no mistake: Evers didn’t come to Mizzou to hold a clipboard. He was likely promised a legitimate shot at the starting job, and given the state of the quarterback room, that promise holds weight.
Zollers has a year in the system, Simmons has the hype, but Evers has the most actual game experience. That counts for something in a spring competition where reps will be split and every throw will be scrutinized.
Is he the favorite? No.
But don’t expect Evers to see himself as a long shot. He’s betting on his experience, his athleticism, and the chance to finally find the right fit in a system led by Eli Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
And frankly, that’s the kind of mindset you want in a quarterback room - especially one that’s still very much up for grabs.
What It Means for Mizzou’s Quarterback Depth
The addition of Evers, alongside Simmons, rounds out a quarterback room that now feels complete - and significantly more stable than it did this time last year.
If you follow the “one quarterback per class” model, Mizzou’s got it covered:
- Evers is the senior (2026)
- Simmons slots in as the junior (2027)
- Zollers represents the sophomore (2028)
- Gavin Sidwar, the freshman (2029), rounds out the depth chart
That’s a healthy distribution, and more importantly, it gives Mizzou a safety net it didn’t have last season. When injuries or inconsistency hit in 2025, the Tigers were one play away from throwing in a true freshman who had never taken a collegiate snap.
Now? Worst-case scenario, they turn to a guy like Evers - someone who’s started games, managed offenses, and knows what it takes to lead a team on Saturdays. That’s not just comforting - it’s a strategic advantage.
The Bottom Line
Mizzou’s quarterback battle is wide open, and that’s exactly how the coaching staff wants it. With three very different skill sets and backgrounds, the Tigers will get to see who rises to the top when the pads come on.
Evers might not be the headline name in this race, but don’t count him out. He’s got experience, he’s got mobility, and he’s got one final shot to prove he belongs on the big stage. That kind of hunger - paired with a wide-open competition - makes for an intriguing spring in Columbia.
And if nothing else, Mizzou is in a much better spot at quarterback than it was a year ago.