The Missouri Tigers are another program with a vacant spot at the game’s most important position: quarterback. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has two players vying for the starting role: transfer Beau Pribula and Sam Horn.
Examining Missouri’s QB Competition Between Beau Pribula and Sam Horn
Missouri has enjoyed stability at the quarterback position in recent years, with former Tiger Brady Cook assuming the starting role for the past three seasons.
As a fifth-year player, Cook provided steady leadership for the team in 2024, completing 62.6% of his passes for 2,535 yards and 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
But following Cook’s graduation, Drinkwitz must determine the starter for the 2025 season.
His options have largely narrowed to two players: Pribula and Horn. Both soon-to-be juniors, they have taken different paths to this point.
A York, Pennsylvania, native, Pribula spent two seasons with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite being the backup quarterback, the 6-foot-2, 207-pound passer saw action in 23 games across two seasons, primarily as a change-of-pace running quarterback. He totaled 94 carries for 571 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, providing a key element to Penn State’s offensive game plan and forcing opponents to account for Pribula’s physical running style.
In 2024, he also completed 26 of 35 passes for 275 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.
The clear ability he demonstrated with his legs, coupled with his Big Ten experience, made him one of the most highly sought-after quarterbacks in the transfer portal. He joined the Tigers with the expectation of starting.
Meanwhile, Horn has been with Missouri’s program for three seasons and has combined to complete three of eight career throws for 54 yards. All of his yardage came in mop-up duty in 2023 against South Dakota, where he also registered a touchdown pass and threw an interception.
Speaking of Horn, Drinkwitz explained, “You know, we’re talking about a guy who led his team to the state championship in the state of Georgia.”
He continued, explaining the nature of the quarterback competition.
“He’s a competitor, and he knows that Beau is here to be the starting quarterback too,” Drinkwitz said. “And those two guys have had a really good competition in the right kind of way. I told both of them, you know, our team is going to either thrive because of this competition or be divided because of this competition.
“And that’s going to be reflective on how you two handle it. And I think both of them have done a really good job of cheering for each other, challenging each other but also connecting with each other as teammates.”
Pribula is considered the favorite, but Horn’s familiarity with the program could be a deciding factor if he were to surprisingly win the job.
KEEP READING: Beau Pribula NIL: How Much Are Missouri’s QB’s NIL Deals Worth?
Regardless, it’s imperative that Drinkwitz selects the right quarterback as the Tigers navigate a difficult SEC schedule in 2025.
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