The Missouri Tigers held a competitive quarterback battle this offseason to replace former starter Beau Pribula, who transferred to the Virginia Cavaliers after just one season.
The leading candidate was Austin Simmons, a highly touted but still-developing talent who originally began his college career with the Ole Miss Rebels at just 17 years old.
Simmons briefly held a starting role in 2025 before an ankle injury and the rise of Trinidad Chambliss cost him the job.
Despite limited experience—fewer than 600 career passes—he showcased strong potential with impressive efficiency metrics, including nearly 10 yards per attempt and a high rate of big-time throws.
Challenging him was Matt Zollers, a four-star recruit from the 2025 class whom the program views as its long-term future.
Zollers stepped in as a freshman after Pribula’s injury, completing 53% of his passes for 503 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while gaining valuable starting experience.
After 15 spring practices, Missouri officially named Simmons as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, a decision that aligns with expectations given his upside and transfer portal demand.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Simmons provides immediate impact potential, while Zollers can continue to develop into a future leader for the program.
