There's a palpable buzz in Columbia as the Missouri Tigers gear up for the 2026 season, and a lot of that excitement centers around their new quarterback, Austin Simmons. Once a high school sensation and a four-star recruit, Simmons began his college career at Ole Miss, where he showed flashes of brilliance before injuries and competition saw him take a back seat. Now, he's ready to step into the spotlight with the Tigers.
Simmons' journey to Missouri comes after a stint in the fiercely competitive Southeastern Conference, where he got his first taste of starting action in 2025. Despite a promising start, an injury saw him lose his spot to Trinidad Chamblis. But now, with a fresh start on the horizon, Simmons is poised to make a significant impact for Missouri.
In his limited appearances last season, Simmons demonstrated his potential, racking up 744 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes. His starts against Georgia State and Kentucky gave glimpses of what he could bring to the table, with 576 yards and three touchdowns over those games. However, the transition to a full-time starter role presents its own set of challenges, and Simmons will need to refine his deep ball accuracy and decision-making to thrive in Missouri's offense.
Missouri's passing game has struggled with consistency in recent years, and Simmons is seen as the key to turning that around. The pressure is on for him to bring stability and elevate the Tigers' offense to new heights, something that hasn't been achieved under head coach Eli Drinkwitz yet.
Backing up Simmons is a solid group of quarterbacks, including UConn transfer Nick Evers, sophomore Matt Zollers, and true freshman Gavin Sidwar. Evers is expected to be the primary backup, bringing experience from multiple teams and conferences, though the SEC is a new challenge for him.
Simmons won't be going it alone, though. With a talented supporting cast featuring Donovan Olugbode, Cayden Lee, and Brett Norfleet, along with running backs Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts, the Tigers' offense has the potential to be explosive. It's up to Simmons to harness that potential, make smart decisions, and lead Missouri to places they've yet to reach.
As the Tigers prepare for their season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on September 3, all eyes will be on Simmons. The expectations are high, but with the right blend of skill, preparation, and a little bit of Missouri magic, Simmons could very well be the catalyst for a thrilling season ahead.
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Missouri's Top Back Just Drew A Label That Changes Everything
Ahmad Hardys rise at Missouri has already put him in rare territory, and the latest national conversation around the position only adds to the spotlight. After transferring in from Louisiana-Monroe and turning in a huge 2025 season, Hardy is being mentioned at the top of the 2026 running back board, right alongside former Tiger Kewan Lacy, now at Ole Miss, after the departure of Jeremiyah Love reshaped the early award picture.
The timing makes the whole thing even more intriguing for Missouri fans, because the Tigers and Rebels are scheduled to meet in October in a game that could double as a showcase for two backs who know the SEC landscape from different angles. Hardys ranking gives Missouri a legitimate centerpiece to build around, but the bigger question is whether he will be ready to fully carry that burden when the season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Trent Burns Faces A Defining Mizzou Season Fans Have Waited On
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The next step is less about one breakout moment than a steady tightening of his game. Missouri wants Burns to keep sharpening the details that matter for a young big man, from shot blocking and offensive skill to the kind of fluidity that makes a player easier to trust on the floor. His health and conditioning remain part of the equation, too, which is why this season feels like an important checkpoint for a player who still has a lot of runway left. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Faces One Offensive Line Question That Could Shape Everything
Missouri spent the offseason with Josh Atkins penciled in as the answer at right tackle, a spot that carries extra weight with left-handed quarterback Austin Simmons set to run the offense in 2026-27. Atkins has the kind of veteran background the Tigers value, with stops at Houston, Arizona State and Hawaii, and on paper he looked like the cleanest fit to stabilize the edge.
The problem is that the right tackle job is now one of the first real roster questions of camp, because Atkins is not the only option on the board. If he is not ready when fall work begins, Missouri may have to sort through Logan Reichert, Colin Sorensen and possibly younger linemen to find the best protection for Simmons, and that decision could ripple through the whole offense. [Read more 🡒]