Missouri Tigers Name Former Ole Miss Quarterback Austin Simmons the Official Starter

Zollers had started three games for the Tigers in 2025 after injuries sidelined both Beau Pribula and Sam Horn, throwing for 503 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He knew the system.

Simmons was simultaneously absorbing a new offense under first-year coordinator Chip Lindsey, which made the evaluation more layered. He separated anyway, and new quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley noticed his composure above all else.

“The thing I like about him is he’s a poised guy,” Riley told reporters on March 15. “I don’t think anything gets him too high or too low. There’s not a lot of panic in him, learning a new system, learning his new teammates.”

Drinkwitz had already set the table before spring started.

“He’s very competitive in nature, and he’s got natural talent as a quarterback, obviously. Very good arm talent, decision-maker. Has the ability to run,” the head coach said on February 26. “Obviously, hasn’t played a ton of football because of the injury last year, but when he has gotten his opportunity, has played at a really high level and high clip,” as reported by On3.

Left-Handed Mechanics Present an Unusual Challenge for Missouri’s Offense

Simmons becomes Missouri’s first lefty starting quarterback under Drinkwitz, and that detail carries real weight for the offensive staff building the scheme around him.

The blindside falls on the right side of the line rather than the left. Missouri brought in Josh Atkins from Arizona State specifically to fill that role, a position he had not previously played.

“There are some things that I’ve challenged both Garrett and Chip on to make sure we’re aware in our scripting so we’re not putting our quarterback in a negative spot,” Drinkwitz said. “We have to be conscientious of that.”

Even receivers needed extra reps to calibrate. Wide receiver Donovan Olugbode was candid at a spring practice session:

“At first it was weird, because that was my first time catching it from a left-handed quarterback. It takes time to get used to, but I got used to it pretty fast.”

Missouri opens the 2026 season on September 5 at Memorial Stadium against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, visits Kansas in Week 2 for the Border War, and opens SEC play at Mississippi State on September 26.