Missouri continues to bolster its offensive line depth, and on Monday, the Tigers added another big piece-literally and figuratively. Zack Owens, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound interior lineman from Mississippi State, announced his commitment to Mizzou, giving the Tigers another seasoned competitor in the trenches.
Owens brings a unique blend of size, experience, and versatility to Columbia. He’s no stranger to the college football carousel-Missouri will be his fourth stop after previous stints at Clemson, Colorado, and Mississippi State. But with each move, he’s picked up valuable reps and shown steady development, especially in his most recent season in the SEC.
Originally a top-200 national recruit coming out of high school, Owens began his college career at Clemson. He saw limited action in 2023, appearing in two games, before transferring to Colorado.
With the Buffaloes, he logged time in 10 games as a redshirt freshman, gaining traction and building confidence. Then came his move to Mississippi State, where he truly found his footing.
This past season with the Bulldogs, Owens played in all 13 games and started 10, splitting time between both guard spots. That kind of positional flexibility is a major asset for Missouri, especially with the offensive line still taking shape for 2026.
According to Pro Football Focus, Owens posted a pass-blocking grade of 69.3-solid numbers for an SEC lineman-and allowed just one sack and three hurries across 301 pass-blocking snaps. His run-blocking grade came in lower at 51.8, signaling an area for improvement, but the raw tools and game experience are clearly there.
He also drew three penalties on the year.
Owens becomes the second offensive lineman to make the jump from Mississippi State to Mizzou this month, joining Luke Work, a versatile lineman who played at four of the five offensive line spots during the season. Together, they add serious depth and competition to a group that’s undergoing a bit of a reshuffle.
The battle for the starting guard spots should be one to watch this offseason. Owens and Work will be in the mix alongside returners Dominick Giudice, Curtis Peagler, and Tristan Wilson.
Giudice and Peagler were the Tigers’ starting guards last season, but Giudice is expected to slide over to center in 2026-a move that could open the door for a new-look interior. Wilson, who also has center experience, adds another layer of flexibility to the equation.
With Owens in the fold, Missouri now has 25 incoming transfers in this cycle, including five offensive linemen. It’s clear the Tigers are prioritizing depth and competition in the trenches, and Owens’ arrival only strengthens that effort.
He’s big, battle-tested, and ready to fight for a starting job. Come fall, don’t be surprised if he’s right in the middle of the action.