Missouri State adds QBs Skyler Locklear and Henry Belin IV
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Missouri State completed a successful year one at the FBS level, posting a 7-6 record and qualifying for the Xbox Bowl.
However, the Bears must start anew in year two after head coach Ryan Beard accepted a position at Coastal Carolina in December. Missouri State filled the head coaching vacancy with former SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods, who will operate in a lead role for the first time ever.
Woods and his staff already brought in two experienced quarterbacks to compete for the starting job in 2026. Missouri State added UTEP starting quarterback Skyler Locklear and longtime Duke backup Henry Belin IV. Locklear and Belin help replenish a quarterback room losing seventh-year senior and starter Jacob Clark to graduation as well as backup Deuce Bailey to Coastal Carolina in the portal.
Skyler Locklear
Skyler Locklear spent two seasons at UTEP (2024-25), after originally launching his college career at FCS Austin Peay (2022-23) — playing all four years under head coach Scotty Walden. He started nine contests in 2024 and seven in 2025, serving as the Miners’ most frequent starter for two consecutive years. In 2024, he threw for 1,583 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions on a 63.5 completion rate. In 2025, he amassed 1,418 passing yards, firing 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on a 55.5 percentage. Locklear also featured a mobile element to his game, attaining 237 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2024 before expanding his range to 396 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Locklear played against Missouri State in 2025, finishing 14-of-29 with 125 passing yards, while adding 56 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 38-24 Bears win.
Locklear career stats: 269/451 (59.6%), 3,071 pass yards, 24 TD, 17 INT, 635 rush yards, 10 rush TD
Henry Belin IV
Henry Belin IV spent four seasons at Duke (2022-25), remaining in Durham under multiple head coaches and backing up three different primary starters. Belin received two starting opportunities with the Blue Devils. He logged his first start in 2023 against NC State after starter Riley Leonard suffered an injury, finishing 4-of-12 with 107 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 victory. Belin then saw his number called in the 2024 TaxSlayer Bowl after starter Maalik Murphy entered the transfer portal. In his most significant action to date, he finished 25-of-44 with 243 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 52-20 loss to Ole Miss. Belin backed up Darian Mensah in 2025 but only saw five passing attempts (all in a Sept. 6 contest vs. Illinois) — the fewest of his four-year Duke career.
Belin career stats: 46/82 (56.1%), 540 pass yards, 5 TD, 2 INT, 92 rush yards, 1 rush TD
With two experienced quarterbacks in the room, a competition should launch in spring ball between the UTEP and Duke transfers. Missouri State opens its 2026 season under new head coach Casey Woods — and a new quarterback — on Sept. 5, 2026 in a challenging road environment at Texas A&M.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos