Missouri’s quarterback room has gone through a serious shakeup since the end of the 2025 season. With Beau Pribula transferring to Virginia, the Tigers were left with just one scholarship QB on the roster - freshman Matt Zollers, who stepped into the spotlight late last year after Pribula’s ankle injury and even started in the Gator Bowl. But things didn’t stay quiet for long.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in two new arms: Austin Simmons from Ole Miss and Nick Evers from UConn. Now, the competition is wide open - and it’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing position battles in the SEC heading into spring.
Let’s start with Simmons. He was named the starter at Ole Miss to kick off the 2025 season, and for good reason - the arm talent is real.
We're talking about a quarterback who can push the ball downfield in a way Mizzou simply didn’t have last year. Unfortunately for Simmons, his season was cut short by an injury in mid-September against Arkansas, which opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss to take over in Oxford.
But now, Simmons gets a fresh start - and he’s staying in the SEC to do it.
Then there’s Evers, who saw limited action at UConn, playing in just three games last season. He’s a bit more of a wild card in this race, but he brings athleticism and upside that could make things interesting in the quarterback room.
Zollers, meanwhile, is the known quantity in Columbia - at least to some degree. As a true freshman, he stepped in when Pribula went down and held his own, eventually starting the Gator Bowl. He’s already got some valuable reps under his belt and knows the system, which gives him a leg up in terms of familiarity.
Still, if early projections are any indication, Simmons might be the one to watch. According to ESPN’s reporting, Simmons’ raw throwing ability could be exactly what Missouri’s offense needs to take the next step.
The Tigers leaned heavily on the ground game last season, with Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts combining for 2,402 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Adding a vertical passing threat like Simmons could open up the playbook and bring much-needed balance to the offense.
The big question now is whether Simmons can stay healthy and fully tap into that potential. If he does, Missouri might have landed another under-the-radar gem through the portal - the kind of move that can change the trajectory of a season.
There’s no clear-cut answer yet, and Drinkwitz will let the competition play out. But one thing’s for sure: with Simmons, Evers, and Zollers all in the mix, Missouri’s quarterback battle is going to be one worth watching.