Following Missouri’s surprising 13–7 loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl, head coach Eli Drinkwitz has made a decisive move to address the Tigers’ quarterback situation. After evaluating the performance of true freshman Matt Zollers, Drinkwitz has decided to bring in a quarterback from the transfer portal to compete for the starting role in 2026.
The Gator Bowl exposed significant challenges in Missouri’s passing game. Zollers completed just 12 of 24 passes for 101 yards and threw one interception, struggling to generate momentum despite several key receivers being unavailable. While he showed flashes of potential during the 2025 season, the bowl performance emphasized the need for a more experienced option under center.
Quick Action After Bowl Setback
With the transfer portal opening January 2, Missouri is moving swiftly to add a proven signal-caller who can immediately contribute. The coaching staff believes this addition will complement Ahmad Hardy’s strong rushing attack and provide a more balanced offensive threat heading into the SEC schedule.
“This decision is about putting our team in the best position to win,” Drinkwitz said. “We need a quarterback who can lead, and we’re going to bring in the right player to help us get there.”
Preparing for a Competitive 2026
While Zollers will continue developing within the program, Drinkwitz’s move demonstrates a commitment to addressing the team’s weaknesses revealed by the bowl game. Missouri fans will be watching closely as the program explores the transfer portal to see which quarterback will join the Tigers and compete for the starting role next season.
