The Missouri Tigers head into the 2025 college football season with momentum from a 10–3 finish in 2024, capped by a 27–24 Music City Bowl victory over Iowa.
Under sixth-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, the Tigers aim to build upon their recent success and contend in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Coaching Staff
• Head Coach: Eliah Drinkwitz (6th year)
• Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Kirby Moore (3rd year)
• Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach: Corey Batoon (2nd year)
• Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach: Erik Link (6th year)
• Linebackers Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator: Derek Nicholson (1st year)
• Defensive Line Coach (Interior): David Blackwell
• Defensive Line Coach (Edge): Brian Early
The coaching staff sees continuity with Moore and Batoon returning, while Nicholson joins from Miami to bolster the defense. Blackwell steps in following Al Davis’s resignation in May.
Offense
Quarterback
With Brady Cook’s departure, the quarterback position features a competition between junior Sam Horn and graduate transfer Beau Pribula from Penn State. Horn brings familiarity with the system, while Pribula offers dual-threat capabilities .
Running Backs
The backfield is led by junior Marquise Davis, complemented by senior Anthony Favrow and freshman Ahmad Hardy, a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe.
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
With the departure of Luther Burden III, the receiving corps turns to senior Kevin Coleman Jr., a transfer from Mississippi State, and junior Marquis Johnson. Freshman Donovan Olugbode from IMG Academy adds depth. At tight end, redshirt senior Vince Brown II provides experience.
Offensive Line
The offensive line, despite losing key players like Henry McDermott, retains junior Cayden Green and senior Connor Tollison. Their leadership will be crucial in maintaining line stability.
Defense
Defensive Line
The defensive front features senior Chris McClellan and junior Damon Wilson II, a former five-star recruit from Georgia. Their presence aims to enhance the pass rush and interior defense.
Linebackers
Senior Josiah Trotter, a transfer from West Virginia, leads the linebacker unit alongside junior Khalil Jacobs. Their combined experience strengthens the middle of the defense.
Secondary
The secondary is anchored by junior Marvin Burks Jr. at safety and senior Toriano Pride Jr. at cornerback. Their leadership and coverage skills are vital for the defensive backfield.
Special Teams
Special teams are coordinated by Erik Link. While specific starters for kicker and punter are to be determined, the unit aims to maintain consistency and field position advantage.
2025 Missouri Schedule
Missouri’s 2025 schedule features eight home games, a program first, providing a favorable setup for the season.
• Aug 28: vs. Central Arkansas
• Sep 6: vs. Kansas
• Sep 13: vs. Louisiana
• Sep 20: vs. South Carolina
• Sep 27: vs. UMass (Homecoming)
• Oct 11: vs. Alabama
• Oct 18: at Auburn
• Oct 25: at Vanderbilt
• Nov 8: vs. Texas A&M
• Nov 15: vs. Mississippi State
• Nov 22: at Oklahoma
• Nov 29: at Arkansas
The schedule includes challenging matchups against Alabama and Oklahoma, testing the team’s resilience.
Outlook
The 2025 Missouri Tigers aim to capitalize on their recent success and the influx of new talent. Key factors include the development of the quarterback position, maintaining offensive line cohesion, and integrating defensive transfers. With a favorable home-heavy schedule and experienced coaching staff, Missouri has the potential to contend in the SEC and achieve another double-digit win season.
Predicting Missouri’s 2025 Season
Aug. 30 Central Arkansas 10, Missouri 35
Sept. 6 Kansas 31, Missouri 34
Sept. 13 UL-Lafayette 20, Missouri 31
Sept. 20 South Carolina 22, Missouri 33
Sep. 27 UMass 10, Missouri 41
Oct. 11 Alabama 35, Missouri 19
Oct. 18 Missouri 38, Auburn 20
Oct. 25 Missouri 41, Vanderbilt 30
Nov. 8 Texas A&M 17, Missouri 27
Nov. 15 Miss. State 23, Missouri 38
Nov. 22 Missouri 30, Oklahoma 27
Nov. 29 Missouri 40, Arkansas 29
11-1
Quoting Eli Drinkwitz
I will say this I’m as confident in each position on our roster right now as I’ve ever been um I there’s not any position that I lay my head on my pillow and am nervous about um within the framework of control right i get nervous about things I can’t control but I think the abundance of depth the abundance of scheme adjustment that we have um now it’s just about continually defining what they do best and push in that direction but when you’re talking about the defensive side of ball I think there’s six to seven legit edges that will earn playing time um you know Daryus Smith prior to his injury was as impactful a defensive end as I’ve been around and um you know now you get him back healthy with a guy who’s a dynamic and explosive a pass rusher and Dane Wilson um you know we know what Zion Young can do um we know Jakai Lang has got multiple sacks in in SEC games you got Langden Kitchen, who is a really, really good football player. Javon Hilson as a true freshman early enrollee, has earned an opportunity to find a role. Nick Johnson was a freshman all-American and just ran a uh 1.10 uh fly 10 split which was fifth on the team.
University of Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz discusses Post Spring Practice. April 9, 2025.
