The Missouri Tigers wrapped up their 2025 season with a 13-7 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl. Coach Drinkwitz ended a once promising season with an 8-5 record and went 0-5 versus ranked opponents. Many factors impacted the outcome, most notably being special teams and questionable play calling. But one big factor became quarterback play as the season progressed.
Penn State transfer Beau Pribula won the QB battle out of camp which did not amount to anything after the very early season ending injury from Sam Horn. To follow was a crucial ankle injury for Pribula, which led third string true freshman Matt Zollers to see the field for several weeks. After Pribula's recent announcement to re-enter the portal, Zollers is the only quality QB in the room.
It is highly expected for the Tigers to land a QB in the portal to compete with Zollers, especially after his bowl game performance. With that, here are three potential candidate for Coach Drinkwitz.
Rocco Becht - Iowa State
The Iowa State starting QB has announced his transfer alongside majority of the Cyclones roster. With head coach Matt Campbell off to Penn State, the roster is shaking up in a turmoil event across college athletics. Mizzou should capitalize on the moment and go get a veteran starter who has excelled at the FBS level.
Becht had a down year compared to career standards in 2025, but still led the Cyclones to a good finish on the year. Becht threw for 2,584 yards, 16 TDs, and nine INT with a QB rating of 134.1. He will be entering his 5th season and will be a sought after veteran to lead a team into the College Football playoffs. With his ability to throw over 3,500 yards, 25 TDs, and over 150 rating, he is the perfect QB to lead Mizzou into a tough SEC schedule for 2026.
I just don’t see how the current college football landscape is sustainable
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) December 29, 2025
Iowa State had been a solid program for years
Now?
They have 17 players remaining on the roster for next year, only 1 returning starter
It’s impossible to compete like this pic.twitter.com/H132azdfAX
Dylan Raiola - Nebraska
Patrick Mahomes plays in the state of Missouri...for now. He will be here for the duration of Dylan Raiola's career. Raiola is also not far away from Columbia given he has been in Lincoln, Nebraska for the past two seasons.
The former 5 star prospect will be a high ceiling/high risk candidate for the QB transfer class but worth the gamble. He has shown flashes of being able to take over a game which Mizzou needs from a QB. With years of lackluster performance from the passing attack, it is time for Drinkwitz to shake up the offense. With Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts returning, the offense will be hard to defend if they can develop a QB into the system. Raiola will have several years of eligbility and can use Mizzou to elevate his game to his once hyped potential.
Michael Hawkins Jr. - Oklahoma
If Matt Zollers is truly the future and QB1 going forward, you do not want to waste all NIL funding into a QB to not win the job. Drinkwitz needs to replenish the entire WR depth chart, offensive line, and defensive line. With much of the roster to reconstruct, maybe adding a quality back up with potential is the smart move at QB.
Hawkins Jr. can be this given his prior experience at Oklahoma. John Mateer has the starting job controlled and Hawkins Jr. is looking for a real shot to start. If he can come to Mizzou and beat out the inexperienced Zollers, then Mizzou upgrades. Given how many QBs are hitting the portal, Hawkins being a backup will not come with the high demand as the other candidates. He could be a real threat as a buy low candidate, which would work tremendously for Mizzou who does not have the resources as the bigger brands within the sport.