If you’re looking at the university of missouri football depth chart and feeling like you need a secret decoder ring, you aren't alone. Honestly, the 2026 offseason has been a total whirlwind. One day we’re talking about who’s declaring for the draft, and the next, Eli Drinkwitz is hauling in a lefty quarterback from the portal who might just change everything.
It’s a weird time in Columbia. We’re seeing a massive turnover of the "old guard." The guys who defined the 2024 and 2025 seasons—names like Connor Tollison and Kevin Coleman Jr.—are moving on to the next level. What's left is this fascinating mix of high-upside portal finds and a 2026 recruiting class that Drinkwitz basically hand-picked to get bigger and meaner.
The Austin Simmons Era is Basically Here
The biggest question on every Tiger fan's mind is the quarterback room. With Beau Pribula moving on to Virginia after a season that was, let's be real, pretty disappointing, the door is wide open.
Austin Simmons is the name you’ve gotta know. He’s a lefty transfer from Ole Miss with a literal cannon for an arm. People have been buzzing about him since he committed in early January. He’s already graduated, so he’s got two years to play, and most insiders have him penned in as the clear-cut starter for the 2026 season.
But it’s not just the Simmons show.
The depth behind him actually looks healthier than it has in years. Nick Evers, the well-traveled former Oklahoma and UConn signal-caller, joined the squad as a graduate transfer. He’s basically the veteran insurance policy. Then you’ve got Matt Zollers, the freshman who everyone is high on. If Simmons stays healthy and Evers can provide that steady backup hand, Mizzou might actually be able to redshirt Zollers. That would give him three years of eligibility starting in 2027. It's a smart play.
Oh, and keep an eye on Gavin Sidwar. He’s the incoming freshman from Pennsylvania. He might not see the field this year, but he’s the future.
The Running Back Rotation
Ahmad Hardy is the guy now. Period.
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With the departures in the backfield, Hardy is stepping into that RB1 role after showing some serious flashes last season. He’s a sophomore who just seems to run harder than his size suggests.
Behind him, it’s a bit of a scramble. Jamal Roberts is back as a redshirt sophomore, and he’ll get plenty of touches. The wildcard is Xai’Shaun Edwards, a transfer from Houston Christian. He’s a bit of an unknown at this level, but the staff loves his twitchiness. Then you’ve got the fresh face, Maxwell "Max" Warner, a three-star recruit out of Chicago who could sneak into some special teams roles early on.
Reshaping the university of missouri football depth chart in the Trenches
If you ask Coach Drink, he’ll tell you the SEC is won and lost in the dirt. That’s why he went out and signed five offensive linemen in this class. He’s obsessed with what he calls "STI"—Size, Toughness, and Instincts.
Cayden Green is the anchor. Him deciding to return for 2026 was probably the biggest "win" of the offseason. He’s staying at left tackle, and having that blindside protector set in stone makes everything easier for a new quarterback like Simmons.
The rest of the line is a bit of a construction zone:
- Left Guard: Tristan Wilson and Logan Reichert are battling it out. It’s a "may the best man win" situation throughout spring ball.
- Center: Dominick Giudice is the likely successor to Tollison. He’s a grad transfer with a ton of experience, which is exactly what you want snapping the ball.
- Right Side: Curtis Peagler seems locked in at Right Guard. Right Tackle is a toss-up between Josh Atkins (the Arizona State transfer) and Luke Work (from Mississippi State).
On the defensive side, it’s all about the "Jack" position and the interior monsters. Zion Young and Chris McClellan are gone to the NFL, which leaves some massive shoes to fill.
Darris Smith is going to be the guy they rely on to create havoc off the edge. He’s got the frame and the speed, but he needs to show he can do it consistently for four quarters. Inside, Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall are the projected starters. They aren't as "famous" as the guys they’re replacing, but they’ve been in the system and know the expectations.
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The "New Look" Secondary
Mizzou lost a ton of production in the defensive backfield. Toriano Pride Jr., Drey Norwood, and Jalen Catalon—all gone. That's a lot of snaps and a lot of leadership heading out the door.
To fix it, Drinkwitz went portal-heavy. Jahlil Florence is a massive addition from Oregon. He’s a senior who’s played in big games and should immediately slot in at one of the cornerback spots.
The safety position is where things get interesting. Marvin Burks Jr. left for Wisconsin, which sucked to see, but getting JaDon Blair from Notre Dame and Elijah Dotson from Michigan basically cancels that out.
- Cornerback 1: Jahlil Florence (Sr.)
- Cornerback 2: Nicholas DeLoach Jr. (RS So.) or Cam Keys (RS Fr.)
- Free Safety: Santana Banner (RS So.)
- Strong Safety: Elijah Dotson (Sr.) or JaDon Blair (So.)
It’s going to be a "trial by fire" unit. They’ve got the talent, but whether they can communicate well enough in the complex 4-2-5 scheme is the real question.
Coaching Staff Shakeups
We can’t talk about the depth chart without talking about who’s drawing the plays. Kirby Moore taking the head coaching job at Washington State was a blow. He really helped modernize this offense.
In comes Chip Lindsey from Michigan as the new OC. Lindsey is the guy who developed Drake Maye, so the hope is he can work that same magic with Austin Simmons.
On defense, keep the name Levorn "Chop" Harbin in your notes. He’s coming over from Tennessee and is known as one of the best recruiters in the SEC. His job is basically to make sure the talent pipeline never runs dry again.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception right now is that Mizzou is in a "rebuilding" year. Sorta, but not really. In the era of the transfer portal, you don't really rebuild; you reload.
Yes, they lost 12 starters. That sounds like a lot because it is. But look at who they replaced them with. They didn't just grab "guys" from the portal; they grabbed starters from Oregon, Michigan, and Florida State. This isn't a team of freshmen; it’s a team of veterans who happen to be new to Columbia.
The real challenge isn't talent. It’s chemistry. You can't just throw 11 guys together and expect them to play like the 2007 Tigers. It takes time for a quarterback to learn his receivers' breaks. It takes time for a linebacker to trust the defensive tackle in front of him.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the university of missouri football depth chart heading into the spring, here's what you should actually be watching:
- Watch the "Left-Handed" Factor: Austin Simmons being a lefty changes the geometry of the field. The "blind side" flips. This means the right tackle (likely Josh Atkins or Luke Work) becomes the most important protector on the field.
- The Youth Movement at WR: Kevin Coleman is gone. We’re going to see a lot of Donovan Olugbode and the freshman Jabari Brady. Brady is 6'3" and can make those "contact catches" that Drinkwitz was complaining about missing last year.
- Special Teams Stability: Blake Craig is back at kicker, which is a huge relief. Having a reliable leg when the offense is still finding its rhythm is a godsend.
- Portal Window 2: Don't assume this depth chart is final. There’s always another wave of transfers after spring ball. If Mizzou doesn't like what they see at linebacker or defensive tackle in April, expect them to go shopping again.
The Tigers are in a transition phase, sure, but the talent floor is significantly higher than it used to be. Whether they can turn that talent into another 8 or 9-win season depends entirely on how quickly Chip Lindsey and Austin Simmons can get on the same page.
Keep an eye on the spring game rosters. That’s where the real separation will happen, especially in that crowded wide receiver room. For now, the foundation is set, and it’s a lot sturdier than the "rebuild" label suggests.