Mizzou football announces Simmons to start at quarterback

Mizzou football won’t have another quarterback battle in fall camp heading into its next season.

Austin Simmons was officially named the Tigers’ new starting QB for the 2026 season on social media Thursday following the end of spring practices. The left-handed signal-caller signed with Mizzou on Jan. 6 after two years at Ole Miss, as former starter Beau Pribula transferred to Virginia.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Pribula competed with Sam Horn and Matt Zollers leading up to the Tigers’ season opener, with Pribula ultimately taking the job. Simmons’ competition would be mainly between Zollers, who started three games last season, and UConn transfer Nick Evers, but Mizzou has made its decision well before the fall.

Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said Wednesday that there have been both good days and bad this spring for the QBs and there hasn’t been as much consistency as he expected. But Simmons had clearly impressed the Mizzou coaching staff throughout the weeks and asserted himself as the No. 1 option.

“The thing I like about him is he’s a poised guy,” newly hired quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley said Saturday. “I don’t think anything gets him too high or too low. There’s not a lot of panic in him, learning a new system, learning his new teammates ... . It’s definitely been one of the highlights as we evaluate him.”

In 17 total appearances for the Rebels, Simmons completed nearly 60% of his pass attempts and threw for 1,026 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He started games against Georgia and Kentucky last season, combining for 576 passing yards, a 60% completion rate, three touchdowns in the air and four interceptions.

After Simmons sustained an injury against Kentucky, Trinidid Chambliss took over the starting job and didn’t lose it for the rest of the year.

Simmons now regains the QB1 mantle at Mizzou in a new system under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. While nothing has yet been determined beyond the starter, it can be assumed that Zollers will serve as the top backup option in 2026.