The transfer portal opens this week. And if we know anything about Mizzou’s staff, we know they’ll be active.
Mizzou just wrapped up a somewhat disappointing 8-5 season, and they’ll lose some key members
that got them to those 8 wins. But there’s also a strong culture and roster platform in place, and Mizzou’s moves will primarily be made with an eye on winning in 2026.
Ahead of the portal’s opening, we asked our football staff their thoughts on how the team should approach the portal this time around:
If you had to develop a mission statement for the Mizzou staff’s portal activity this year, what would it be?
Josh Matejka, Deputy Site Manager: Mine is kind of boring because it could apply to any portal window, but I think it’s especially honing in on this postseason: Be flexible. Mizzou has a few different ways it could go in the next few weeks, such as grabbing a star QB and investing a lot in high-end pass-catchers. Or it could strengthen defensively and in the trenches and bet on Zollers developing with a few young, less expensive receivers. Obviously the staff will have Plans A, B, C, D, etc. But don’t be afraid to mix-and-match as opportunities present themselves.
True Deck, Football Writer: This is a tough one because I could see Drinkwitz and company going many different routes when it comes to where they are spending their money. Here’s my take: Show decisiveness and confidence with where the money is going. There are plenty of holes to fill within the roster and I don’t see the Tigers having enough in the budget to fill each of them with a 1A player. So with that said, Missouri needs to be confident that the positions it decides to buy in on are the right ones. Whether that’s quarterback, wide receiver or on the defensive side of the ball.
Sammy Stava, Staff Writer: I’d say money management on the roster. Mizzou wasted an elite defense this season because $1.5 million went to the most important position on the team and Beau Pribula underperformed. That’s not a knock on Pribula, but if you’re paying $1.5 million NIL deal on the QB — he simply needs to be elite. Overall, Eli Drinkwitz and the staff need to find the right quarterback this offseason.
Matthew Gustafson, Football Beat Writer: Maximize your resources. That’s something the Tigers failed to do last season, bringing in some great transfers (Hardy, Trotter et al.) but also recording a big swing and a miss along the offensive line, with the notable exception of Keagen Trost. Mizzou has shown that its NIL resources and overall football investment are strong, but they’re not strong enough that Drinkwitz can simply take the Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss approach and drop an absurd amount of money to practically guarantee success. If the staff wants to take the next step in 2026, they need to hit on their top transfers at every position group.
Nathan Hurst, Football Writer: Rebuild the starting unit top to bottom. Starting with the top, they have to find a quarterback who will elevate the offense, because that is something Drinkwitz really hasn’t been able to do in six years. Beyond that, they are going to have to rebuild both lines and skill position groups. They’ll need to bring in at least 10 starting-caliber players, if not more, if this team is going to compete in the SEC next year.
There’s obviously a hole at QB with Beau Pribula transferring out. Should the staff develop around Matt Zollers or go get a bonafide QB1?
Josh Matejka: I’m on the record over at Rock M+: If you can’t get the perfect fit, build around Zollers. I wasn’t happy with Zollers’ performance in the Gator Bowl, but you can easily see what made him such a tantalizing prospect coming out of high school. He’s got a big arm and a knack for making clutch throws; he just needs to learn how to manage the game and be more consistent. That comes with coaching and a good support system, both of which Mizzou can offer. So if guys like Sorsby, Leavitt, and Mestemaker have already punched their tickets elsewhere, spend your money supporting the guy you chose to develop.
True Deck: The golden question. I think the Tigers need to give Zollers one more year. I think the pure talent is there, but he needs more time to polish it. Adding a guy for one year, then ideally sending that quarterback to the draft, would give Zollers another year to sharpen up, and even get some development tips from another quarterback. Either way, I think Drinkwitz and Lindsey will make the right decision for what the team needs to be successful next season.
Sammy Stava: Matt Zollers isn’t quite ready yet — and that’s fine considering he’s just a true freshman. He has shown glimpses of potential, but the consistency just isn’t there. If Mizzou wants to compete at high level in the SEC, they must upgrade at the quarterback position ideally with someone who has one year of eligibility. Find a star QB in the portal this offseason, then you can develop Zollers in the future because that was probably the plan all along if Pribula panned out — which shouldn’t risk Zollers transferring.
Matthew Gustafson: This year’s portal quarterback class is excellent — and likely to be highly expensive. Unless the Tigers find someone they know can play at an all-conference level and be an Ahmad Hardy-level home run addition, they should stick with the guy they’ve dubbed their quarterback of the future. Zollers has the arm talent to be that level of impact quarterback; command of the offense and pocket presence come with development, and there’s plenty of potential for a sizable sophomore leap. Mizzou should still bring in depth at the position (and let’s also keep a close eye on if Sam Horn returns), but the significant investment that would be needed at quarterback could go a long way for the team if it’s spread out over multiple impact additions instead.
Nathan Hurst: They 100% need to get at least one, if not two, quarterbacks to compete for the starting job. Matt Zollers clearly isn’t ready to compete in the SEC right now. Will he be ready next fall? It’s unknown, and that’s an unknown the staff can’t afford to be OK with. They need to bring in a guy who is expected to start. If Zollers beats him out? Great! That’s unlikely at this point, but it if it happens, then you’ve got the best of both worlds.
Portal announcements are still being made, but some clear holes have already opened up on the roster. Which position group should the staff be targeting most heavily?
Josh Matejka: As of right now, I’m most concerned about the defensive line. Mizzou’s defense was excellent in 2025 and it all started with a line that was bursting with both top-of-the-line talent and depth. Their excellence up front allowed the secondary to settle into a rhythm by the end of the season, and they’ll need that sort of support again next season. You’ve got some strong pieces on the depth chart and a good corps of young linebackers to help out, but Corey Batoon needs a lot of talent to play with in the trenches. Give it to him.
True Deck: I do really like Josh’s response in the defensive line. Losing Zion Young and likely Damon Wilson in one offseason is brutal. That being said I choose an offensive position in receiver. With Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning expected to hit the portal, Donovan Olugbode and Shaun Terry are really the only prominent receivers left on the team. Missouri adds a few in the 2026 recruiting class but it’s never easy to rely on freshman play.
Sammy Stava: Whether it’s the offensive line or defensive line — you can never have enough talent and depth at that position because games are won in the trenches. You can have a star quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, but a strong, cohesive offensive line is what makes things work. Beef up the OL because they are losing some key contributors at that position.
Second priority should be wide receiver because losing Joshua Manning and Marquis Johnson obviously hurts the depth. Finding some star WRs in the portal right away could attract a star QB.
Matthew Gustafson: I alluded to the offensive line position in my first answer, and I think it’s also the position on offense Mizzou needs to target most heavily. The Tigers needed better play at the quarterback position, to be sure. But the team’s offense is predicated on the run game, and when Mizzou was unable to get its running backs room this season, the offense put up performances like the one seen in Jacksonville. Hardy put up record numbers with a line that was, too often, suspect this season. Imagine what he, and the Tigers offense, could do with an offensive line like the one they had in 2023.
The defensive priority should be cornerback, where the team loses Drey Norwood, Toriano Pride Jr. and Stephen Hall. MU has some talented young corners, including Cameron Keys, but failure to bolster the position group with multiple high-level transfers could be major trouble for next year’s defense.
Nathan Hurst: Two groups: 1) the cornerbacks. The only three guys who played any snaps at all are all gone. Nick DeLoach, Jr. had some playing time last year, but barely saw the field in 2025. So at the very least, they will need to bring in two high-quality starters at cornerback if this defense is going to be anywhere near as good this past year.
Second, they need to focus on the offensive line. They will lose at least two, if not three, starters off a unit that wasn’t great to begin with. They need to target at least one starting tackle as well as two interior linemen. That will allow them to play Guidice wherever he feels most comfortable. If they can bring in two good tackles they could move Green inside where he is best (assuming he returns next year.)
It’s always hard to lose players, especially young guys we get excited about. Which outgoing transfer that has announced to this point are you most disappointed to see go?
Josh Matejka: I have to be honest and say it was a real blow to lose Joshua Manning. I’ve been on his hype train for years now, and I thought he turned a corner in 2025. Did he get as many targets as he should have? No, and that’s thanks to Kirby Moore. I was hoping that Moore’s departure would give Manning some hope that he could provide the yin to Donovan Olugbode’s yang next year.
True Deck: I’ll go with Henry Fenuku. In a position where years of experience, especially with a specific team, really pay off in the long run, I think Missouri is losing out on a potential key player in a few years. Fenuku was a four star talent out of high school and chose the Tigers over schools like Ohio State and Ole Miss. The Tigers offensive line shouldn’t be too shabby this upcoming season, but that’s a position where you don’t want your freshman transferring out.
Sammy Stava: Javion Hilson because he while he wasn’t going to play this season with Damon Wilson and Zion Young on the defensive line — he had the five-star potential to be a factor coming into next season.
Matthew Gustafson: He was unlikely to see the field much next year, but Marquise Davis showed superstar potential in limited action. He may not have the same immediate impact as Kewan Lacy did at Ole Miss (though I wouldn’t entirely rule it out), but Davis is likely going to end up being very good wherever he goes. If Drinkwitz (and RB coach Curtis Luper) have shown anything during their time at Mizzou, it’s that they’ll be just fine at running back despite some great talents coming and going. Davis looked like he could have been the next one of those great talents at the position to light up Faurot Field, though.
Nathan Hurst: A couple guys hurt to lose, but since none of them actually saw the field much, it really doesn’t hurt as bad as it could. I’d say losing Marquis Davis and Javion Hilson hurt the most because it was clear both had high-level SEC athleticism. Both will play a lot and play well in their careers. I just wish it was going to be for Mizzou.
Time for a post-Christmas wish list. Name two players — one on both sides of the ball — that you really want the staff to grab once the portal opens?
Josh Matejka: It’s easy to pick a star QB, but I’m more concerned about the lack of depth in the wide receiver room. So I’ll opt for one of the many big-time wide receivers that have already hopped in the portal. Anyone think St. Louis native Chase Hendricks has any interest in coming back home?
On defense, I’ll return to my pressing concern about a need for pass rushers. Florida is bleeding players right now, many with heaps of eligibility. I’ve got my eye on Jayden Woods specifically, a guy who popped right away in Gainesville and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
True Deck: On the offensive side of the ball, I’ll go with Iowa State receiver Zay Robinson. There have already been lobbying efforts by Mizzou commit Jayden McGregory calling on his former teammate to reunite in Columbia, but besides that, Robinson is legit. He didn’t play much at Iowa State during his freshman season, but coming out of high school, he was a top-10 player in the state of Iowa by all major recruiting outlets. If Robinson is given an opportunity, he could be a stud.
As for the defense, I’ll go with Auburn edge Amaris Williams. The sophomore finished his 2025 campaign with two sacks and could be a strong replacement after losing somebody like Zion Young. Williams held an offer from Mizzou as a five star edge out of high school.
Sammy Stava: St. Louis native and Ohio transfer WR Chase Hendricks sounds like a logical landing spot for Mizzou considering he’s Jamal Roberts’ former teammate.
On the defensive side let’s go with Kansas City native Marcus Neal Jr. — a highly rated safety from Iowa State.
Never count out Drinkwitz landing some impact in-state transfers as Cayden Green and Toriano Pride Jr. are recent examples.
Matthew Gustafson: This would be a costly addition, but adding left tackle Xavier Chaplin from Auburn could go a long way to fixing Mizzou’s offensive line troubles. The move would also allow the team to shift Cayden Green (pending his decision on whether to enter the draft) back to left guard, his strongest position, if he returns. Drinkwitz said that the Tigers had interest in adding a few players last year that eventually ended up at Auburn, one of whom appeared to be Chaplin. We’ll see if Mizzou can make it happen this offseason instead.
Defensively, let’s stick with Auburn transfers and say cornerback Jay Crawford. The sophomore tied for the team lead in pass breakups this season and was an SEC All-Freshman Team honoree in 2024, giving him plenty of high-level experience alongside multiple years of eligibility. Crawford would be a bona fide top cornerback for Mizzou, something it desperately needs to add this offseason.
Nathan Hurst: Starting with quarterback, I would love if the staff could somehow land Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby. He’s by far the best passer in the current transfer portal and could really elevate the Tigers’ passing game. Unfortunately, he will probably pull in top dollar from a blue blood and price out the Tigers for his services.
Second, I’d go former Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford. He has experience in the SEC as a part of a really nasty defensive unit. He could step in on day one and lock down a whole side of the field in the passing game, opening up Batoon to be creative with how he uses the rest of his secondary.
