Honestly, if you’re a Mizzou fan, you’ve probably spent the last few weeks staring at the transfer portal like it's a high-stakes poker game. And in a lot of ways, it is. The latest mizzou tigers football news is a whirlwind of massive checks being cut, coaching chairs being swapped, and a roster that looks more like a construction site than a finished product.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz just secured the bag. A massive six-year extension worth $64.5 million—averaging over $10.7 million a year—proves the administration is all-in on "Coach Drink." But with that kind of money comes a level of expectation that doesn't just ask for bowl games; it demands a seat at the College Football Playoff table. 2026 isn't just another season. It’s the year the $250 million Memorial Stadium renovation opens its doors, and the pressure to fill those luxury seats with a winning product is immense.
The Portal Chaos: Who's In and Who's Out?
The secondary was a massive headache last season, and the staff knows it. Landing Elijah Dotson from Michigan was a huge "get." You've got to have guys who can play man-to-man in the SEC, or you're basically just target practice for the likes of Alabama and Texas. Dotson should step in and start immediately, which is a relief because seeing Marvin Burks Jr. bolt for Wisconsin definitely stung.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. The Tigers have swung and missed on some big-time defensive line targets lately. Losing out on guys like Qua Russaw and James Smith from Alabama hurts. If Mizzou can't get bigger and meaner in the trenches, they're going to keep getting gashed by the heavy hitters.
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Then there’s the quarterback room. With Beau Pribula moving on to visit places like Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, the depth chart is a bit of a question mark. Mizzou brought in Austin Simmons from Ole Miss and Nick Evers from UConn to stir the pot. It’s sort of a "may the best man win" situation.
Ahmad Hardy and the Return of the SEC Ground Game
While everyone obsesses over quarterbacks, the real story for 2026 might be the guy in the backfield. Ahmad Hardy is a certified beast. Coming off a season where he cleared 1,500 yards, he’s one of the few returning "bell-cow" backs in the conference.
Having a reliable ground game is Mizzou’s safety blanket. When the passing game gets stagnant—and it will at times—being able to hand the ball to a guy who can fall forward for four yards is everything. The SEC is returning to its roots with a "stacked" group of running backs this year, and Hardy is arguably at the top of that list.
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Coaching Carousel: New Faces on the Sideline
You can't talk about mizzou tigers football news without mentioning the coaching shakeups. Replacing Kirby Moore at offensive coordinator wasn't easy, but hiring Chip Lindsey from Michigan is an interesting move. It signals a shift toward a more physical, balanced attack.
We also saw Erik Link head to New Mexico, ending a long-term stint with Drinkwitz. Change is good, sure, but losing that kind of institutional knowledge can be tricky. To fill the gaps, the Tigers added Alex Atkins from LSU to coach tight ends. Atkins is a veteran who’s been an OC at Florida State; having that kind of experience in a position room is a luxury most programs don't have.
The 2026 Draft and the "Talent Gap"
Acknowledge the elephant in the room: Mizzou is losing some serious Sunday talent. Josiah Trotter and Chris McClellan are heading to the NFL. Trotter was the heart of the defense, and you don't just "replace" the guy who led the team in tackles.
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However, getting Cayden Green to return for his final year of eligibility was arguably the biggest win of the offseason. Keeping a future NFL tackle on your roster instead of having to find a replacement in the portal is a massive win for the offensive line's chemistry.
What This Means for Your Saturday Plans
If you're looking at the 2026 schedule, the early games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Troy are "get right" games. But the real test starts early with a trip to Manhattan to face Kansas in September. That game is going to set the tone for the entire fall.
Actionable Steps for Tigers Fans:
- Watch the Trenches: Keep a close eye on the commitment of offensive lineman Colin Sorensen. If the Tigers can land him, the depth issues up front start to look a lot less scary.
- Spring Game Scouting: Pay attention to the chemistry between the new QBs and the remaining wideouts like Kevin Coleman. With Daniel Blood and others leaving, the receiver room is thin.
- Check the Portal Window: The window is closing soon (Jan 16), but Drinkwitz usually has a late-night surprise up his sleeve. Follow the "dead period" visits closely for any last-minute defensive tackle additions.
Mizzou is currently ranked around No. 30 in the 2026 recruiting class rankings. That’s solid, but in the SEC, "solid" gets you a 7-5 record and a trip to a bowl game nobody watches. To break into the elite tier, this staff has to close on the blue-chip defensive talent that’s still on the fence. The money is there. The stadium is being built. Now, the results have to follow.