Matt Zollers, big-name transfer or other for Missouri football at QB?
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Missouri football had a choice to make. In college football in the year 2025, it was always unlikely that the Tigers were going to return both of the quarterbacks who started a game for them in the 2025 season.
Beau Pribula or Matt Zollers?
Who did the Tigers want here more than the other? Who were they willing to lose to keep the other?
On Thursday, the future got clearer.
Pribula is heading back to the transfer portal, almost exactly a year after making what, at the time, was a stunning announcement to leave Penn State ahead of the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff first-round game.
He spent one season at Mizzou and started 10 games, but the offense largely regressed as Pribula struggled to maintain some strong early-season performances. He battled back from a midseason ankle dislocation to return before most deemed realistic, but the passing game continued to struggle after his return and some tough offseason conversations seemed likely.
Whether the choice was inspired by a nudge from Mizzou or by a decision from Pribula and his camp — made by the Tigers or for the Tigers — is unknown. Both are possible but, ultimately, now are irrelevant beyond sheer intrigue.
A new era could begin as early as Dec. 27, when the Tigers will line up against ACC regular-season champion Virginia in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. Zollers will lead the offense in Duval County for his third start.
But Mizzou’s choices aren’t finished. There is still a conversation to be had at the quarterback position.
Here are all of Mizzou’s options at QB ahead of the 2026 season, and what that could mean for the Tigers moving forward:
Should Missouri name Matt Zollers QB1 now?
There’s a strong case that this is the correct call.
Name him starting quarterback after the bowl game, focus on building the skill positions and offensive line in front of him, and spend the next eight months preparing for the soon-to-be sophomore taking charge of the offense.
Mizzou is starting Zollers at quarterback in the Gator Bowl. He’s the only healthy scholarship QB on the roster, for starters. But he’s also the player that head coach Eli Drinkwitz has called the “future of the program at the quarterback position.”
So, there are a lot of reasons to back him beginning as early as, well … right now.
But the freshman was still quite green in his first shot at running the offense this season. There was a gutsy game-tying drive against Vanderbilt, and there was a bungled handoff that ultimately cost Mizzou the game. As good as he was in a win over Mississippi State, he looked out of his depth at times against Texas A&M.
He’s a freshman. Expecting perfection is ludicrous.
If Mizzou thinks it can work out the kinks by next August, then this might be the correct call.
If not …
Will Mizzou look at a high-profile transfer QB?
The quarterback situation has changed with Pribula out of the picture, of course.
But does that mean Mizzou wants to go get a big name, which also means spending big money?
Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati, DJ Lagway from Florida, Dylan Raiola from Nebraska and more are already testing the portal waters. More will follow.
None of those names will want to come in and compete. Someone will offer a guaranteed QB1 spot, good money to play that role, and that is likely where they will go.
The risk with that path is scaring Zollers off. That’s the line you must tow in 2025.
It is already expected to be an incredibly expensive quarterback market. We’re talking millions for Power-conference-ready starters.
There’s a very strong argument that Mizzou’s money would be better spent on an offensive tackle or two, which Mizzou needs, and a couple of starting wide receivers, which Mizzou definitely needs.
What if the new OC has his guy?
We have something else to consider here: What if the new offensive coordinator wants to bring in their own guy? What if they already have someone lined up?
Whether that’s someone who follows a coach from school to school, or whether it’s someone who simply fits their system, options are there.
Former Georgia Tech OC Buster Faulkner is seemingly set to bring backup Yellow Jackets QB Aaron Philo to Florida with him. The same is likely true for new Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris, who seems highly likely to bring along QB Drew Mestemaker.
Mizzou could hire someone with a plan in mind and a quarterback up their sleeve, so to speak. Until we know who the next playcaller in Columbia will be, it’s worth considering.
Tigers will almost certainly add depth QB(s)
Let’s say Mizzou doesn’t go after a big-name quarterback. Let’s say the new OC, whoever that may be, doesn’t come with a built-in quarterback package.
Mizzou will still look for a quarterback in the transfer portal.
Here are the expected options for next season, as they stand: Matt Zollers; three-star true freshman signing Gavin Sidwar; walk-ons/designated student-athletes. End of list.
If Mizzou sticks with Zollers as QB1, there will be a transfer who comes in with some college experience, at the very least. Think Jack Abraham in 2022, Jake Garcia in 2023 or Drew Pyne in 2024.
What about Sam Horn?
Horn is, technically, eligible to return next season. He has one year or remaining eligibility and, if he so chooses, could return to Mizzou and use it.
He is still listed on the online roster. The same can’t be said for out-bound Pribula, or any of the other eight Mizzou players expected to leave in January.
The widespread external expectation is that his future is in baseball. Horn penned a $497,500 signing bonus with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in the summer. But, he fractured his tibia in his right leg Aug. 28 on a QB run play on his first snap of the 2025 season. The last time the Tribune saw him, ahead of the Tigers’ game against Mississippi State, he was still in a full leg cast and moving with a noticeable limp. It’s unclear whether he even would be able to practice with the Dodgers’ farm system this spring.
Horn has a bright future in baseball as a right-handed pitcher with a fastball that touches 98 mph. The Dodgers spent well above slot value to draft him.
A return would be somewhat of a surprise, but it’s not impossible.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What is next for Missouri football at quarterback?
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