Missouri Tigers: Drew Lock wisely returning for senior season

This NFL draft has a bevy of quarterbacks. That undoubtedly was a contributing factor in the decision of Drew Lock to stay at Mizzou for his senior season. The biggest reason for him to stay was that he needs to work on his game a little more before going to the pros.

It’s never easy to lose a coach that has taught you well and allowed you to put up gargantuan numbers. Lock did just that under former offensive coordinator Josh Heupel this season, as he set an SEC single-season record with 44 touchdown passes.

Heupel left to take over at Central Florida, once Scott Frost leaves for Nebraska, after leading the Golden Knights to a self-proclaimed national championship.

Drew Lock had a record setting 2017 season. He threw 44 touchdowns, most in SEC history, in a season. But he is staying for his senior year, a good move. Lock elaborated on his decision with CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee.

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"I’m very excited to be coming back for my senior year, and I’m really optimistic about what we can do as a team next season. There were a lot of factors that went into this decision, but the main ones include: A feeling of responsibility and loyalty to my coaches and teammates at Mizzou – we have goals to achieve together; having the chance to play for a new coach in Coach Dooley, and his system that will continue to add to my development; and of course, getting my degree. I feel like all of these factors combine to give me the best chance to succeed at the next level. Thank you to Coach Odom and everyone on the Mizzou staff for being patient and very helpful to my family and me during this process. I’m looking forward to exciting things to come!"

It stands to reason that it would benefit Lock to stay in school and gain more experience. However, with a change in offensive systems, it wasn’t out of the question that Lock might leave for the NFL.

According to Walter Football, Lock was either a day one or two prospect for this year’s draft. It only stands to reason he will be one of the top QB prospects in the 2019 draft.

Lock is clearly betting on himself for his senior year. There is a more than decent chance he will not duplicate his numbers from this past season, but that might be okay. Even if his numbers suffer a slight dip, there is no doubt in my mind he will be a better prospect by staying.

Lock has a live arm, but still struggles with decision making. His accuracy is also spotty, both of which can be improved with another year in college.

Next season, the Tigers open with home games against Tennessee-Martin and Wyoming before going to Purdue. They open their conference slate with Georgia, then a bye week that’s followed by trips to South Carolina and Alabama. In addition to both teams that played in the National Championship Game, that slate includes two tough non-conference games.

The Tigers then return home for a tricky game with Memphis to close their non-conference slate before taking on Kentucky. Their November slate includes games at Florida, hosting Vanderbilt, at Tennessee and against Arkansas.

Florida and Tennessee should both be better after coaching changes, but while the numbers might not look as impressive, I think we will still see improvement in Lock’s game. However, it will take some time to get used to a new offensive system and top receiver J’Mon Moore will be gone.

I still have questions about how Lock plays on the road against good teams. He did not show up against Texas in the Texas Bowl, which followed a series of lackluster performances away from home from 2016. Even this season he still struggled a bit on the road. He only had a completion percentage over 60% on the road once (at Connecticut, though he had exactly 60% at Georgia).

Next: Mizzou falls in Texas Bowl

Lock has one more year to prove that he can play in adverse environments. Regardless, it means Missouri will have a high flying offense in 2018.