Starting with QB, Mizzou coaches evaluating various position groups this spring

Members of Mizzou’s football coaching staff spoke to reporters Saturday at the Stephens Indoor Facility in Columbia.

Quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley, tight ends coach Alex Atkins and defensive line coach Levorn “Chop” Harbin were all hired ahead of the 2026 season from power conference programs, and all three provided updates about the Tigers.

Riley emphasizes development among Mizzou quarterbacks

The quarterback position is a crucial one for any team, but for Missouri, it is also up in the air. The Tigers signed Austin Simmons from the transfer portal while also re-signing Matt Zollers. UConn transfer Nick Evers, Brett Brown and Gavin Sidwar are also in the room.

Riley spoke about the competition, as well as what he has seen from Simmons and Zollers specifically, as they are the front-runners for the starting role.

Riley described Simmons as “poised,” emphasizing his composure. As for Zollers, Riley praised the quarterback’s competitive nature.

“​​Obviously, he’s talented, (has a) big arm,” Riley said of Zollers. “He has a little experience, but he’s eager. I really think he’s a hungry quarterback, hungry football player, to really get better, to learn the why of what we’re doing. That’s really stuck out to me.”

Riley has some familiarity with Evers, as he tried to recruit him when he coached at SMU from 2020-21.

“Nick is the old man in the group. He may be older than I am,” Riley said jokingly. “I love Nick’s experience, and I think he’s a really good teammate. He’s done a good job for us, really providing depth and having a chance to maximize his reps right now, so very fortunate that he’s here.”

While there may be a sense of eagerness to learn who the starting quarterback will be, that question is not at the top of Riley’s mind at the moment.

“Right now, it’s just all about individual player development,” Riley said. “You get X amount of practices with them. All these guys must be better by the time we get to the end of spring.”

As the offseason continues, Riley will be looking for his quarterbacks to demonstrate sound decision making, execution and consistency. It’s with that criteria in mind that he and Mizzou’s staff can evaluate and pinpoint who the starter will be, but that won’t happen anytime soon.

Atkins describes ‘stacked’ tight ends group

Atkins provided some insight on the tight end room, which is headlined by Brett Norfleet, Jordon Harris, Gavin Hoffman and Jude James.

Norfleet has been sporting a green jersey at practice, indicating that his involvement is limited. This is because he is recovering from an injury for which he underwent surgery.

“He’s doing fine,” Atkins said. “It’s more just (protecting) him to make sure he can build up his upper-body strength with the history with the shoulder, but he’s been in practice. We’re just keeping him out of harm’s way.”

Injuries are nothing new for Norfleet, who has experienced a fair share. Atkins recognizes the difficulty of navigating setbacks, and he has been impressed with the way Norfleet has gone about it.

“Mentally, he’s handled it really well,” Atkins said. “I’ve been proud of watching him take from what he can’t do and putting in what he can do. He still can catch the ball. He’s still running routes. He’s pretty much in practice, (but) we’re just keeping him out of contact.”

Atkins is eager to keep Norfleet healthy for the entire season, stating that a primary goal is to establish longevity.

Aside from Norfleet, Harris has been a steady presence for Mizzou. Atkins described him as “intentional,” a player who strives for perfection.

The Tigers also have Hoffman and James in the tight end room, but they have less experience. Therefore, a focal point for them is development. Specifically, Atkins said he wants to see Hoffman grow in the box and display more toughness in blocking.

Overall it’s an impressive contingent, filled with players who are eager to grow and more than capable of doing so.

“I like how the room is stacked from top to bottom (with) good, young talent,” Atkins said. “Those guys are smart and doing a really good job.”

Harbin ‘sprinkles’ expertise on steadfast defensive line

Mizzou’s defense was its strength last season, ranking in the top 15 in the country in both passing and run defense in the first year under defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.

The defensive line was a big part of that success with 36 sacks. Key defensive players like Zion Young, Damon Wilson II and Chris McClellan anchored a unit that was both effective at stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback.

This sort of success came as somewhat of a surprise, as former defensive line coach Al Davis departed from the program the summer before the 2025 season. As a result, the team named David Blackwell as the interim coach for the position. Mizzou hired Harbin to head the position group back in January.

“It’s a good system … you can’t really help something that’s been pretty good,” Harbin said. “You can only maybe throw a couple sprinkles on, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Harbin has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, spending the last five years at Tennessee in various positions. Most recently, he served as the outside linebackers coach in ‘25. Harbin will work alongside Blackwell, who is staying on staff to work specifically with the defensive tackles.

“We all work together,” Harbin said. “I’ve known Coach Blackwell since I was a (graduate assistant) at Pittsburgh, so we go way back.”

But with Young, Wilson and McClellan all leaving the program, Harbin needs to find new players to contribute on the line. One returning player who has made an early impression is Marquis Gracial, a defensive tackle who recorded 16 tackles last season. Harbin was familiar with Gracial’s work, previously recruiting him out of high school at Tennessee.

Now entering his fifth year at the collegiate level, the defensive tackle is ready to take that leap. For Harbin, the biggest area of growth is in his pass-rush ability.

“He’s a great run-stopper, he’s just trying to develop one more pass-rush skill,” Harbin said. “Then the sky’s the limit.”

While there are plenty of unknowns on the defensive line heading into the 2026 season, Harbin believes the team has all the pieces to maintain elite standards.

“(We have) tough, gritty kids (who) kind of remind me of a couple of the spots I’ve been,” Harbin said. “Coach Drink does a good job with the leadership part about making the kids really work hard, come together and play as one.”

Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian.