Head coach Eli Drinkwitz criticized the current state of college athletics while also addressing Cayden Green’s health and a now sold out season opener. He also announced team captains. For more on what the six appointed leaders of this team had to say, check out Matthew Gustafson’s story.
‘It’s a Complete Clown Show’
With Mizzou’s season opener just five days away, Drinkwitz still doesn’t know exactly what the rules surrounding player eligibility will look like.
Drinkwitz expressed concerns Saturday with the uncertainty surrounding
college athletics and eligibility rules, saying coaches have been forced to operate without a clear understanding of what the rules are as the 2026 college football season gets underway.
“I got a lot more to say off the record,” Drinkwitz said. “But I’ve been saying this for three years now, college athletics is not in a great place.”
The frustration comes as teams across the country continue to deal with questions surrounding roster construction and eligibility. Drinkwitz pointed to the failure of federal legislation known as the Save College Sports Act as part of the reason for the current state of college athletics.
He said coaches and programs have spent years asking for a framework that would establish clearer rules for college athletics.
“Mike Elko said it a couple of days ago: We have no idea what the rules are for eligibility,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s embarrassing, man. It’s the most watched sport in the United States and for us to be operating like this is a complete clown show.”
Drinkwitz said Mizzou will continue to follow whatever rules are ultimately established.
“If I’m told that I can add players, then I’ll look to add players,” he said. “I’m going to do whatever I’m supposed to do to help the university. That’s my job.”
For now, though, Drinkwitz said his focus remains on the players already in the building.
Green to Miss Opener
One player who won’t be on the field against Arkansas-Pine Bluff is starting left tackle Cayden Green. Drinkwitz declined to provide details about his injury.
Green’s absence creates an early opportunity for Jack Lange and Whit Hafer, who Drinkwitz said he has confidence in to handle the position.
Missouri returns significant experience along its offensive line and will look to abuse the Golden Lions with a downhill rushing attack.
The Tigers have several options in the backfield, including starting captain Jamal Roberts, Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti, Max Warner and Anthony Favrow.
“It really doesn’t matter for us,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s just an expectational task.”
An Identity Forming
While there are still questions surrounding the roster, Drinkwitz believes this team has developed a different type of identity over the past eight months.
The Tigers are led by six captains, with Drinkwitz and his staff selecting Dominick Giudice, Green and Nicholas Rodriguez, while the players voted Roberts, Santana Banner and Blake Craig.
Drinkwitz said the biggest difference he has noticed is the team’s confidence in its preparation and the camaraderie that has developed in the locker room.
“I think the uniqueness of this team is the confidence they have in the preparation that they’ve put in,” Drinkwitz said. “I think they’re really bought into the coaches who have bought into each other.”
Drinkwitz acknowledged that Mizzou may not have the same type of outside energy that Zion Young provided in previous seasons, but he believes the Tigers have players capable of leading in a variety of ways all over the roster. Rodriguez has been a major part of that.
A first-generation immigrant who chose football despite family members playing soccer, Rodriguez has become one of the voices Drinkwitz trusts most in the locker room.
“He’s a gatherer,” Drinkwitz said. “People love to be around him.”
Opportunities Across the Roster
One of the players who’s taken a big jump from the spring to the fall is wideout Naeshaun Montgomery.
The Florida transfer even slept in the locker room throughout fall camp, except for nights before off days, as he committed himself to the program’s development process.
Drinkwitz expects Montgomery to be among Missouri’s top four or five receivers in terms of snaps.
Drinkwitz said he has been particularly impressed with the vertical ability of Caleb Goodie and Montgomery, while Olugbode has dropped seven pounds and could see an increase in his yards after the catch ability.
The depth and versatility of the group could give Mizzou more ways to carve up defenses throughout the season.
Two Homegrown Starters
Mizzou has two in-state players starting at defensive tackle – for the time being: Jalen Marshall and Marquis Gracial.
Both players arrived at the program together, one coming from the east side of the state and the other from the west.
Drinkwitz said both have worked to improve their conditioning and explosiveness this offseason.
“They’ve got some really good players behind them pushing them every single day,” Drinkwitz said. “They know if they don’t get to a high level, then we can rotate, get somebody else in there pretty quickly.”
The competition could allow the Tigers to rotate their defensive tackles throughout games to keep players fresh.
Opening Night in Columbia
Mizzou officially sold out Kickoff in CoMo against UAPB, with the final tickets purchased Saturday.
The game will also mark the unveiling of Missouri’s $250 million North End Zone project, giving the season opener added significance for the program and its fans.
Drinkwitz said the team has spent the past eight months working toward this moment. Now, with the opener on the doorstep, Mizzou’s focus is turning from preparation to execution.
“We’re excited about that,” Drinkwitz said. “We’re excited about that togetherness this group has.”
