As the college football season approaches, the Missouri Tigers are still in the midst of a quarterback competition, with head coach Eliah Drinkwitz meeting with the media on Monday afternoon at the Southeastern Conference’s media days.
The current incumbent, Brady Cook, faces tough competition from redshirt freshman Sam Horn and new Miami transfer Jake Garcia to earn the starting quarterback position. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz stated that Cook would begin camp running with the first team, but the starting spot is not guaranteed for the opening game against South Dakota on August 31.
Coach Drinkwitz mentioned that the quarterback competition would be ongoing and even hinted at the possibility of playing multiple quarterbacks during the first two weeks of the season. Last year, Cook won the starting role during fall camp and finished the 2022 season with 2,724 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 64.7% completion percentage. Despite this, the offense faced criticism during the season, and Cook will have to fight to maintain his position on the depth chart.
Redshirt freshman Sam Horn is also making a strong case for himself. Drinkwitz praised Horn’s confidence and believes he has the potential to shine in the quarterback room. Horn is known for his arm talent and athleticism, and prior to suffering an elbow sprain while pitching for Mizzou baseball, he showcased impressive pitching skills, with radar guns recording speeds as high as 96 mph.
Besides the quarterback battle, the Tigers’ coaching staff is making some position changes to maximize the team’s potential. Wide receiver Dominic Lovett’s departure to Georgia has opened the door for sophomore receivers Luther Burden III and Mekhi Miller to take on roles in the slot. Drinkwitz is excited to see the unique skills they bring to this position and aims to use them in different route combinations to enhance the offense.
Coach Drinkwitz feels like the pieces are in place for a successful MU season:
On the defensive side, Darius Robinson will take on a versatile role, playing both the interior and exterior of the defensive line. The edge position is considered one of the biggest question marks, and Robinson, along with junior Johnny Walker Jr., will lead the way, competing against several transfers for the starting spot, bringing enthusiasm from their coach over the group’s potential in 2023:
In terms of coaching, Eli Drinkwitz will hand over offensive play-calling duties to Kirby Moore, the new offensive coordinator. However, Drinkwitz plans to remain involved in the offense and collaborate with the offensive staff to position the players for success.
Regarding the offensive line, the unit remains a “work in progress,” after dealing with injuries and penalties last season. Offensive line coach Brandon Jones brings valuable experience to the team, and the players are competing for their spots in the rotation.
On special teams, kicker Harrison Mevis will return, and freshman Blake Craig will serve as the backup. The punters, Riley Williams and Luke Bauer, will compete for the starting role during camp.
As the season approaches, the Tigers are focusing on competition and improvement across the roster to create a formidable team for the upcoming college football season.
Photo credit – YouTube video screenshot / LSU Tigers on TigerBait / Nashville, TN
