Eli Drinkwitz provides update on Missouri's quarterback competition

For the first time in three years, Brady Cook will not be Missouri‘s starting quarterback this year. At the 2025 SEC Kickoff on Thursday, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed what he’s looking for in Missouri’s next QB1.

“It would be easier for me and for all of our team if we could stand up and tell you who the starting quarterback was, and we’re not trying to hide behind it. There’s no competitive advantage,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s literally an unsettled position right now, and for us, the starting quarterback is a battlefield commander.

“We don’t need a celebrity quarterback. We need somebody who, when the game is on the line, he’s going to make the best decision for our team. He’s going to take care of the football. He’s going to get our team in the end zone. It’s not about stats. It’s about production… Who learns the best from mistakes, right? You can’t consistently make the same mistake at the quarterback position and be the starting quarterback.”

It’s a three-man race at quarterback for Missouri. Sam Horn is the only returning QB on the roster. He is entering his fifth season with the program. However, he still lacks in-game experience and has only made four career appearances.

Horn didn’t see any action last season due to an injury. Horn’s future with the team was uncertain after he heard his name called in the MLB Draft earlier this month. However, Drinkwitz confirmed that Horn will be on the team this fall.

Penn State transfer quarterback Beau Pribula is also in the running for Missouri’s starting spot behind center. Pribula spent three seasons at Penn State, amassing 424 passing yards and nine touchdowns in 24 career appearances.

Pribula is also a legitimate rushing threat. He tallied 571 yards and 10 scores on just 94 carries at Penn State. While freshman QB Matt Zollers lacks both in-game experience and knowledge of Missouri’s system, Eli Drinkwitz said he’s also firmly in the quarterback competition.

“Those guys I thought did a really good job in spring,” Drinkwitz said. “I knew Sam would be a little bit further ahead than Beau, just because of his experience within the system and understanding our practice and our players. But, man, Beau did a really good job of catching up.

“I thought he did a really good job this summer at OTAs and, shoot, I was really impressed with Matt dollars this summer. I mean, he throws the ball extremely well. So feel like those guys all have the ability to really help us.”