After Connor Bazelak tears ACL, here’s a look at Mizzou’s quarterback situation
Missouri Tigers quarterback Connor Bazelak tore his ACL in the right knee, a team spokesperson confirmed to The Star. Bazelak will have surgery next week and his status for spring football practice is unknown.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback tore his ACL on an awkward scramble in the second quarter of the 24-14 win over Arkansas last Friday. He needed assistance walking and was brought to the medical tent.
Bazelak made his first career start against Arkansas as Kelly Bryant was hampered by his own knee and hamstring issues. In limited time, Bazelak impressed, completing 7 of 9 passes for 80 yards.
He still has four years of eligibility remaining. Bazelak played in three total games this year, against Southeast Missouri and at Georgia and Arkansas. NCAA rules allow a maximum of four games played before a redshirt is lifted.
He was expected to compete with Taylor Powell and graduate transfer Shawn Robinson for the starting quarterback position next season. Bryant graduated this year after transferring from Clemson.
Powell relieved Bazelak in the win over Arkansas, playing the rest of the game and throwing his first career touchdown pass. The redshirt sophomore was Bryant’s primary backup during the 2019 season, starting the loss at Georgia when Bryant was out because of a hamstring injury.
Robinson transferred after playing his first two seasons at TCU. He sat out the 2019 season because of NCAA transfer rules, playing on Mizzou’s scout team. A former four-star recruit, Robinson threw for 1,334 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2018. The dual-threat quarterback also rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns on 49 carriers. He is projected to be Mizzou’s starter next season.
As for incoming quarterbacks, Brady Cook is currently Mizzou’s only committed recruit. Cook is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports. He’s from St. Louis and played for Chaminade College Prep.
Another option is to look at possible transfers, just as Mizzou did for Bryant and Robinson. However, with no coach in place after Barry Odom was fired, that will depend on who Jim Sterk hires to fill the vacancy.
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 12:36 PM.