Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz has officially confirmed the addition of a highly regarded five-star punter and kicker specialist to Columbia, a move designed to directly address one of the Tigers’ most glaring weaknesses from the 2025 season.
Special teams inconsistency plagued Missouri last year, particularly in field position and reliability in close games. Under Drinkwitz, the Tigers have often played tight, one-score contests, making dependable special teams performance a priority entering the offseason. The addition of the five-star specialist signals a clear effort by the coaching staff to stabilize and upgrade that unit.
The new arrival brings elite credentials as both a punter and kicker, giving Missouri versatility and depth at two critical positions. While the expectation is that he will primarily compete for the punting role, his proven ability as a kicker also provides valuable insurance as the Tigers manage health and performance at the position heading into 2026.
Drinkwitz emphasized that improving special teams is essential for Missouri’s progression, noting that small margins often determine outcomes in the SEC. By strengthening the kicking game, the Tigers hope to flip field position more consistently, convert scoring opportunities, and reduce the costly mistakes that impacted results last season.
With spring practices approaching, the five-star specialist is expected to compete immediately, adding pressure and accountability within the special teams room. The move reflects Missouri’s broader offseason strategy of tightening execution in all phases as the program looks to turn close losses into wins and take a meaningful step forward in 2026.
