- Missouri’s run game could be the best in the country: The Tigers feature PFF’s No. 1 running back in Ahmad Hardy, the No. 2 running back unit and the No. 6 offensive line nationally.
- Pass defense faces significant turnover: Missouri lost eight of the nine players who recorded at least 190 coverage snaps last season and six of its eight leaders in pressures.
- Austin Simmons takes over at quarterback: The Ole Miss transfer brings a career 7.2% big-time throw rate and rushing ability to Chip Lindsey’s offense.
While the 2025 season wasn’t as successful as the previous two for Missouri, the program is still in the midst of its best three-year stretch since the late 1960s. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz was rewarded with a new six-year extension in November, while offensive coordinator Kirby Moore departed to become Washington State’s head coach.
Missouri replaced Moore with former Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who will take over as the Tigers’ playcaller.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- QB Austin Simmons (Ole Miss)
- WR Cayden Lee (Ole Miss)
- WR Caleb Goodie (Cincinnati)
- LB Robert Woodyard Jr. (Auburn)
- OT Josh Atkins (Arizona State)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- QB Beau Pribula (Virginia)
- ED Damon Wilson II (Miami)
- WR Marquis Johnson (Mississippi State)
- S Marvin Burks Jr. (Wisconsin)
- WR Josh Manning (Kansas State)
Biggest strength: Run game could be the best in America
Missouri’s offense will be built around its rushing attack. The Tigers boast PFF’s No. 1 running back in the country in Ahmad Hardy and our No. 2 running back unit overall.
The offensive line also ranks sixth nationally, led by Cayden Green, our No. 2 offensive tackle in college football.
Biggest question mark: Can they overcome their losses in pass defense?
The Tigers lost eight of the nine players who logged at least 190 coverage snaps last season, with safety Santana Banner the lone exception. They also lost six of their eight leaders in pressures, including talented edge rushers Damon Wilson II and Zion Young.
Missouri ranked eighth nationally in PFF pass-rush grade and 22nd in coverage grade last season. The Tigers will need returning players along the defensive line and transfers in the secondary to step up if they hope to replicate anything close to their excellent 2025 performance against the pass.
Quarterback: Austin Simmons
Simmons entered 2025 as the starting quarterback for an Ole Miss team that eventually reached the College Football Playoff. He suffered an ankle injury in his second career start and was replaced by Trinidad Chambliss. Aside from occasional appearances in Wildcat packages, Simmons spent the rest of the season on the bench.
The left-hander has plenty of arm talent, as evidenced by his career 7.2% big-time throw rate, and he can also contribute as a runner in the option game. Simmons’ ceiling will ultimately depend on his development as an underneath passer and improved decision-making under pressure.
Offensive Player Spotlight: RB Ahmad Hardy
Hardy was outstanding as a true freshman at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024, earning an 89.0 PFF grade, but questions remained about how his game would translate to the SEC.
He quickly answered those concerns, leading the nation with 1,181 yards after contact while also pacing the Power Four with 1,648 rushing yards and 96 forced missed tackles. His 2,994 rushing yards since 2024 are 399 more than any other running back.
Hardy enters 2026 as the best running back in college football, though he is recovering from a gunshot wound to his upper leg suffered in May.
Defensive Player Spotlight: LB Nicholas Rodriguez
Rodriguez played just 352 snaps last season but showed significant potential, earning a starting role by the end of the year. His 83.7 PFF grade tied for the SEC lead among qualified linebackers, and he ranked third on the team with 30 defensive stops despite ranking 14th in snaps played.
His high school wrestling background shows up in his game, particularly in the way he tackles low and uses his flexibility to work around offensive linemen against the run. Rodriguez is slightly undersized, but he is an excellent weakside linebacker playing in a defense well suited to his skill set.
Bottom Line
As long as Hardy is fully healthy, the Tigers should expect another winning season.
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