‘We need to prove it’: Why Missouri Tigers football coach Drinkwitz feels some urgency

There’s much for Missouri football to prove in 2023. Eli Drinkwitz will be the first to say it.

“We need to prove it,” the Tigers’ head coach said Monday.

Drinkwitz met with reporters in attendance at SEC Media Days prior to his podium session. Here’s what we learned:

Missouri Tigers’ QB battle

Drinkwitz didn’t name a starting quarterback. But he did lend insight into how the battle for the job will begin.

Sam Horn, Brady Cook and Jake Garcia are assumed to be the three players in the running for MU’s starting quarterback position. Cook, by virtue of being the incumbent, will get the first crack with the first-team offense, Drinkwitz said Monday.

The coach stressed that Cook’s earned that right, but that no way means he will remain at the top throughout the fall.

Drinkwitz stressed the competition is wide open. He also mentioned it was possible the quarterback battle could continue into the regular season. He said he could see playing multiple quarterbacks in the Tigers’ season opener against South Dakota.

“Day one we go to practice, Brady Cook will step out there with the ones,” Drinkwitz said. “But, no different than every position on the field. There’s nothing guaranteed and everybody’s got to battle for their positions.”

Kirby Moore’s presence at Mizzou

When Drinkwitz hired Kirby Moore from Fresno State this offseason, he did so because he believed he couldn’t take the offense where it needed to be. It was also because Drinkwitz wanted to embrace being a head coach.

He didn’t waste time giving himself a new role.

“Coach (Erik) Link will still be the special teams coordinator,” Drinkwitz said. “Blake Baker and myself are going to be in charge of the kickoff team.”

Beyond that, Moore is bringing a more aggressive approach to the offense.

Left tackle Javon Foster said Moore has instilled aggression into the offense with a very specific goal in mind: getting into the end zone. That goal seems simple, but it is an area in which MU needs to improve.

Last year, Missouri scored 37 touchdowns.

“We want to move the ball, play fast and attack and score,” Foster said. “Our main job is to score. We want touchdowns, not just PATs. None of that — just touchdowns. We need to score touchdowns. So that’s our goal this year.”

Drinkwitz on his job entering Year 4

Drinkwitz has yet to finish over .500 in a season at Missouri. He finished the last two 6-7 after opening his tenure at 5-5.

On Monday, Drinkwitz was asked about his job security.

“I don’t think anybody puts any more pressure on ourselves more than the players and coaches,” he said.

Drinkwitz last year signed a contract extension that was announced hours before the Kentucky game. It’s a sign the administration believes that he can win.

“We want to win every game. We’re competitive. We all sign up to play for championships,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s the goal every year. And when that doesn’t occur, we feel pressure to perform, obviously.

“Very appreciative of the president, Mun Choi, and Desiree and the board for extending the contract last year. But we all understand that it’s a game-to-game, year-to-year job. I feel like we’re on the right track. I think recruiting shows that. I think the talent on the field shows that. I think the way we’ve been in games shows that.

“But, no different than our players, myself, we need to put that together with results on the field.”

MU’s roster announcements

The first of Drinkwitz’s roster updates was simple: Two players were on a medical scholarship.

The first was Chance Luper, which is not a surprise considering how Luper suffered a blood clot in his lungs before last year’s season opener that sidelined him the entire season. The second was redshirt freshman linebacker Xavier Simmons.

Drinkwitz also noted how DJ Wesolak has been moved back to defensive end, mentioning it’s “his more natural position.”

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.