Missouri Tigers Lock In For 2026 After Transformative Spring

As the SEC moves deep into the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season, the Missouri Tigers are navigating a transformative offseason both on and off the field.

Instead of the traditional spring game, Missouri opted for 15 closed spring practices that wrapped up on March 19. The reason? A massive $250 million renovation to the North End Zone at Memorial Stadium is currently underway, preventing the team from hosting fans for a spring scrimmage.

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz, who recently inked a six-year, $64.5 million contract extension keeping him in Columbia through the 2031 season, used those closed sessions to solidify his depth chart. Most notably, Austin Simmons emerged victorious in the quarterback battle, edging out returning backup Matt Zollers and Nick Evers to claim the starting QB1 role.

Simmons will be operating under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who was brought in to replace Kirby Moore after Moore departed for the Washington State head coaching job. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon returns to anchor the other side of the ball.

The Tigers have had to restock following significant roster turnover. Missouri tied a program record with six players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Top 100 picks Zion Young, Josiah Trotter, Chris McClellan, and Keagen Trost. They also saw the departure of players like Beau Pribula and Marvin Burks Jr. through the transfer portal.

However, Drinkwitz and his staff have reloaded via the portal. The program brought in a slew of transfer talent, including Josh Atkins, Luke Work, and Will Kemna, to complement a strong core of returning starters like Cayden Green, Donovan Olugbode, and Brett Norfleet.

With the closed spring practices behind them, Missouri is focused on bouncing back from their 13-7 defeat to No. 19 Virginia in last season's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. As they continue through the offseason, the pieces are falling into place for Drinkwitz's next campaign.