6 storylines shaping Missouri Tigers football 2025

Missouri Tigers football is grabbing attention on several fronts for 2025. Star prospects like Armand Membou and Luther Burden III chase high NFL Draft projections after strong seasons, while the team navigates on-field changes. Triston Newson’s rise from rural Mississippi to key defensive leader highlights the team’s talent pipeline.

Major renovations at Memorial Stadium have canceled the spring game in both 2025 and 2026 but signal long-term ambitions for the program. Despite these positives, the Tigers still seek consistency under coach Eli Drinkwitz, especially in tough SEC road matchups.

Missouri Tigers running back Nate Noel (8) dives in for a 2-point conversion against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 14, 2024. By Denny Medley

NO. 1: MISSOURI TIGERS FOOTBALL GRADES: ANALYSIS FROM MIZZOU’S WIN OVER BOSTON COLLEGE

Mizzou football pulled off a double-digit comeback and took down a ranked opponent. Here are our postgame grades. | Published September 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Maddie Hartley

Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook started Saturday’s game against the Alabama Crimson Tide but was forced to leave early at Bryant-Denny Stadium. By Butch Dill

NO. 2: MIZZOU COACH DRINKWITZ ‘ABSOLUTELY’ EXPECTS QB BRADY COOK TO RETURN THIS SEASON

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz said he ‘absolutely’ expects QB Brady Cook to return from his injury this season. | Published October 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amelia Hurley

Missouri Tigers football coach Eliah Drinkwitz talks to his players during a Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 college football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. MU won 30-23. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 3: HOW MIZZOU'S FARED ON ROAD UNDER DRINKWITZ + HOW HE COMPARES WITH OTHERS IN SEC

How does the coach's record on the road stack up against his record at home? And how does it compare with other SEC coaches? | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Adam D. Busack

Missouri Tigers linebacker Triston Newson lost his helmet during a Sep 14, 2024 college football game against Boston College at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. By Denny Medley/file photo

NO. 4: ‘COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE COUNTRY’: THE STORY OF MIZZOU FOOTBALL’S TRISTON NEWSON

How Triston Newson climbed the ranks to Mizzou football. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Davis Wilson

Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz runs out with the team against the Buffalo Bulls prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024. By Denny Medley

NO. 5: WHY MIZZOU FOOTBALL WON’T HOLD A SPRING GAME IN 2025, 2026 — PLUS A PRACTICE UPDATE

The Missouri Tigers will not hold a spring game this year or in 2026. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story

Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Armand Membou (79) lines up against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the first half at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Oct. 12, 2024. By Eric Canha

NO. 6: WHICH MISSOURI TIGERS PLAYERS COULD BE SELECTED IN 2025 NFL DRAFT — AND WHEN?

Projecting what the 2025 NFL Draft could look like for these five Missouri football players. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maddie Hartley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.