COLUMBIA, Mo. — The NCAA transfer portal has officially reached a fever pitch in Mid-Missouri. Just days before the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, news broke that Missouri Tigers starting quarterback Beau Pribula intends to enter the transfer portal for the second time in as many years. The move, first reported by ESPN on December 18, 2025, leaves head coach Eli Drinkwitz with a pivotal decision: trust the “future” or hunt for a high-octane veteran in the winter portal window.
Pribula, who arrived from Penn State last season, led the No. 25 Tigers to a scorching 6-1 start before a dislocated ankle against Vanderbilt derailed his campaign. He finished the regular season with 1,941 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, but his exit signals a “new way” for the Mizzou offense—one that might involve a significant upgrade in passing efficiency and downfield explosiveness.
The Matt Zollers Era Begins Early
With Pribula out, the spotlight shifts immediately to true freshman Matt Zollers. Drinkwitz confirmed that the former four-star recruit from Royersford, Pa., will start against No. 19 Virginia on December 27.
“We are excited for Matt to be our QB of the Gator Bowl! He’s READY!! LFG!!” Drinkwitz posted on social media. Zollers, ranked as a top-10 quarterback in the 2025 class, possesses the “new-age” dual-threat ability that Mizzou fans have been clamoring for. However, with only 402 passing yards under his belt, the Gator Bowl serves as a high-stakes audition. If Zollers falters against the Cavaliers’ defense, the Tigers will likely be forced to spend heavily in the portal to secure a proven SEC starter.
Enter Chip Lindsey: The “Quarterback Whisperer”
Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism in Columbia is the hiring of Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator. Lindsey, poached from Michigan amid the fallout of the Sherrone Moore investigation, has a legendary track record of developing elite signal-callers. From Drake Maye at North Carolina to developing Bryce Underwood into a star freshman at Michigan, Lindsey is a master of the “pro-style” offensive implementation.
His arrival suggests that Missouri is looking to transition from a run-heavy scheme (ranking 15th nationally in rushing yards) to a more balanced, high-efficiency aerial attack. Lindsey’s first task? Finding the right triggerman to operate his system.
Potential Transfer Portal Targets for Missouri
The NCAA football transfer portal is currently teeming with talent, and Mizzou has the NIL resources to be a major player. Here are three names already linked to the Tigers:
* Colton Joseph (Old Dominion): A dynamic sophomore who threw for 2,624 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards this season. His dual-threat metrics align perfectly with the “Pribula-style” mobility but with a much higher ceiling for arm talent.
* Katin Houser (East Carolina): A former four-star Michigan State recruit who has evolved into a pure pocket passer. Houser would provide the veteran stability needed to mentor Zollers while offering “juice” to the downfield passing game.
* DJ Lagway (Florida): Though a long shot, the sophomore superstar’s entry into the portal has sent shockwaves through the SEC. If Drinkwitz wants to make a “national statement” upgrade, Lagway is the white whale.
The Bottom Line for Mizzou Football
The exit of Beau Pribula is not a crisis; it is an opportunity for an offensive reset. Between the raw talent of Matt Zollers and the veteran coaching of Chip Lindsey, Missouri is positioned to “level up” in 2026. Whether the answer is already on the roster or waiting in the portal, the Tigers are clearly no longer content with just being “competitive” in the SEC—they are built to win.