“Show-Me State Showdown: Missouri Gears Up for Fall Camp QB Battle with 2025 Starting Job on the Line”
The quarterback position is the most important in football, and for Missouri, the battle to determine the next leader under center has officially begun. With fall camp right around the corner, the Tigers are heading into one of their most pivotal quarterback competitions in recent memory. The stakes are high. The outcome could shape the direction of the program not just in 2025, but for seasons to come. As head coach Eliah Drinkwitz prepares to make one of the toughest decisions of his career, the question looms large: Who will take the first snap when the Tigers open the 2025 season?
Missouri’s quarterback room is deep, diverse, and dynamic. The Tigers are fortunate to have several capable options—each with their own strengths, styles, and stories. Returning players, high-profile transfers, and rising underclassmen are all vying for the coveted starting role. This is not just about talent; it’s about leadership, command of the offense, consistency, and the intangible qualities that separate good quarterbacks from great ones. The coaching staff will be looking for the player who can elevate the team, not just manage it. That decision will depend on what unfolds over the grueling weeks of fall camp.
At the center of the competition is Sam Horn, the redshirt sophomore who has had flashes of brilliance but has yet to firmly seize the reins. Horn has the arm strength, size, and pedigree that once made him a four-star recruit and a potential future star. His familiarity with the system gives him a leg up, and he has shown flashes of high-level play in limited action. However, consistency and decision-making have at times held him back from locking down the job. Still, Horn’s upside remains tantalizing, and this fall could be his long-awaited breakout opportunity. If he can string together a strong camp and demonstrate that he’s ready to take full control, Horn could be the guy.
But competition brings out the best in athletes, and Missouri has no shortage of challengers eager to stake their claim. One of the most intriguing names in the mix is Beau Pribula, the Penn State transfer who arrived this offseason with a hunger to prove himself. Pribula is a dual-threat quarterback with strong leadership qualities and a reputation for toughness. Though he didn’t see much playing time behind Drew Allar in Happy Valley, he enters Columbia with a clean slate and something to prove. His mobility adds a different dimension to the offense, and his experience in a Power Five program could pay dividends during camp. Pribula has already made a strong impression during offseason workouts, and he will have every opportunity to make a legitimate run at the job.
Another name to watch is freshman phenom Aidan Glover. The early enrollee has quickly turned heads with his poise, accuracy, and football IQ. While he may be young, Glover’s maturity is beyond his years. Some within the program believe he could be a future star, and if he continues his upward trajectory, he may force the coaches to seriously consider throwing him into the fire early. While starting a true freshman is always risky, Glover’s upside is undeniable. If he puts together a strong camp, he could enter the conversation faster than anyone expected. The challenge will be balancing his long-term development with the immediate needs of a team looking to contend in the SEC.
Also returning is Jake Garcia, who transferred to Mizzou last year after stints at Miami and Missouri in the same offseason. Garcia saw limited action in 2024 but has plenty of experience in college systems and a big arm that can stretch the field. While he’s somewhat of a wild card in the race, his experience and talent make him a sleeper candidate. Garcia’s ability to run the offense efficiently and avoid turnovers could work in his favor if the battle comes down to dependability and low-risk execution.
And then there’s the possibility of a surprise. Fall camp often brings unexpected developments. Injuries, rapid growth, or even changes in offensive strategy can reshape a quarterback competition in a matter of days. Missouri has additional depth with walk-ons and developmental players who may not be at the forefront of the battle but will still push the top contenders every day in practice. That internal competition sharpens everyone and ensures that no job is handed out without merit.
Eliah Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore will have the final say in who leads the offense, and their evaluation process will be exhaustive. They’ll look at practice reps, scrimmage performance, command in meetings, leadership in the locker room, and response to adversity. The starting quarterback will need to be the face of the team, someone who can handle the pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing the most high-profile position in the SEC. They’ll also need to build chemistry with a talented supporting cast that includes returning weapons at receiver, a strong running game, and an improving offensive line.
Missouri’s offensive identity may also influence the outcome of the battle. If the Tigers want to run a more up-tempo, spread-based attack, that could favor someone like Pribula or Glover, whose mobility and quick decision-making fit that style. If they lean toward a more traditional, pro-style system with deep shots and pocket passing, Horn might be the better fit. The coaches will undoubtedly tweak their approach based on the strengths of the eventual starter, but stylistic fit will still play a role in determining who gets the nod.
Beyond X’s and O’s, this competition is about setting the tone for the entire program. Missouri has been on the rise in recent seasons, and the Tigers are eager to take the next step—competing consistently for SEC East titles and pushing for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. That journey begins with finding the right quarterback. Fall camp is not just about determining who’s ready now, but who can lead the team to those lofty goals. Leadership, resilience, preparation, and poise under pressure will matter just as much as touchdowns and passing yards.
Players understand what’s at stake. Every throw in practice, every rep in the weight room, every film session—they all matter. The battle for QB1 won’t be decided in a single day or even a single week. It’ll be a daily grind of competition, reflection, adjustment, and execution. For fans, the suspense will build with every update from camp. For the players, the opportunity is immense: the chance to etch their name into Missouri history and take the reins of a team with championship aspirations.
The good news for Missouri is that regardless of who wins the job, the depth and talent at quarterback are in a healthy place. This isn’t a situation born out of desperation or lack of options. It’s the result of strong recruiting, strategic use of the transfer portal, and a commitment to player development. The competition will push each quarterback to their limit, and that, in turn, will make the team better. Whoever emerges from the gauntlet of fall camp will have earned it the hard way—and will be more prepared because of it.
It’s also a pivotal moment for Eliah Drinkwitz, whose offensive background and quarterback acumen have long been part of his identity as a coach. His ability to develop and identify the right signal-caller will be under the microscope. If he nails the decision and Missouri takes a step forward, it could solidify his reputation as one of the top coaches in the conference. If the position remains unsettled or underperforms, it could raise tough questions about the Tigers’ long-term trajectory.
Fans will be eager to get a glimpse of the battle during open practices and the fall scrimmage, but much of the decision-making will happen behind closed doors. Teammates will rally around whoever is chosen, and the entire program will move forward with one goal in mind: winning football games. While the individual stories are compelling, the collective ambition is even more powerful. Missouri wants to win, and they know the right quarterback can be the difference between a good season and a great one.
As camp begins, the spotlight will shine brightest on the quarterbacks. Every pass will be scrutinized, every mistake magnified, every big play celebrated. The pressure is real, but so is the opportunity. This is what college football is all about—young athletes chasing greatness, coaches shaping futures, and a fanbase holding its breath in anticipation. The Show-Me State is ready for a showdown, and by the end of camp, Missouri will know who’s ready to lead them into a new era.
