Missouri Tigers announce their starting quarterback for 2026 football season
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mizzou names Austin Simmons starting quarterback for 2026 after spring.
- Simmons beat Matt Zollers and Nick Evers for QB1 under new staff.
- Coaches cite poise and system fit; Zollers likely first backup this fall.
The Missouri Tigers football team won't have another quarterback battle during training camp this year.
Austin Simmons was officially installed as the Tigers' new starting quarterback for the 2026 season via social media after spring practices ended on Thursday. The left-handed signal-caller signed with Mizzou on Jan. 6 after two years at Ole Miss. Former MU starter Beau Pribula transferred to Virginia.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Pribula competed with Matt Zollers and Sam Horn leading up to the Tigers' season opener, with Pribula ultimately earning the job. Simmons' competition for the No. 1 job would’ve included Zollers, who started three games last season, and UConn transfer Nick Evers.
Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said each quarterback had good days and bad day during spring camp. He had hoped to see more consistency, but Simmons clearly impressed the Mizzou coaching staff enough to assert himself as the top option.
"The thing I like about him is he's a poised guy," newly hired Missouri quarterbacks coach Lincoln Riley said recently. "I don't think anything gets him too high or too low. There's not a lot of panic in him, learning a new system, learning his new teammates ... it's definitely been one of the highlights as we evaluate him."
In 17 total appearances for the Rebels, Simmons completed nearly 60% of his pass attempts and threw for 1,026 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He started against Georgia and Kentucky last season, passing for 576 yards, a 60% completion rate and three touchdowns to four interceptions in those games.
After Simmons was hurt against Kentucky, Trinidid Chambliss took over the starting job and kept it for the rest of the year.
Simmons now regains the QB1 mantle at Mizzou in a new system under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. While nothing has been determined yet beyond the starter, it can be assumed that Zollers will be the Tigers’ top backup option in this fall.
Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian.
This story was originally published March 21, 2026 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Missouri Tigers announce their starting quarterback for 2026 football season."