Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz recently lost his starting quarterback, Beau Pribula, who hit the transfer portal ahead of the Tigers’ Gator Bowl defeat to Virginia. Freshman Matt Zollers started the Gator Bowl as a result, throwing for just 101 yards and one touchdown.
After transferring from Penn State in 2024, Pribula finished his first and only season with the Tigers with 1,941 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The quarterback also suffered an ankle injury against Vanderbilt that kept him out for two games.
Missouri Snags Beau Pribula Replacement From Transfer Portal
Following the departure of Pribula, there have been recent reports that the Tigers are interested in Ole Miss backup Austin Simmons. And following a recent report, it was revealed that Drinkwitz had landed his Pribula replacement today.
BREAKING: Ole Miss transfer QB Austin Simmons has signed with Missouri, @PeteNakos reports🐯https://t.co/xbgqzOdd0v https://t.co/3pQtNAvwEI pic.twitter.com/6rT3cNJVOW
— On3 (@On3sports) January 6, 2026
“Former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons has signed, committing to transfer to Missouri, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. As a sophomore last season, he has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining.” revealed the report from ON3 Sports.
Simmons was one of the top 300 high school recruits in the Class of 2023 as a four-star recruit; however, after sitting behind Jaxson Dart in his freshman year, the Rebels’ quarterback still has two years of eligibility left after redshirting in his true freshman year.
During his two starts this season, Simmons tossed for 744 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. However, after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out for two games, the Ferris State transfer, Trinidad Chambliss, took over as the starter.
After being usurped by Chambliss, who recently announced he would be returning to Ole Miss after agreeing to a new deal with the school for the 2026 season, pending the grant of his eligibility waiver, Simmons made the decision to enter the portal.
Following his decision to enter the transfer portal, the most likely destination that was initially reported was Missouri. Additionally, the Ole Miss quarterback entered the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag, indicating that he had most likely already made his decision.
MORE: Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Eyes Ole Miss Transfer Portal QB as Beau Pribula Replacement
“Sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Missouri is Simmons’ likely landing spot, and that he’s entering the transfer portal with a no-contact tag, meaning other schools aren’t permitted to contact him.” The initial report from ESPN read.
Yesterday, it was announced that the Tigers receiver Daniel Blood had entered the transfer portal. He became the fourth Tigers’ receiver to enter the portal. This included Donovan Olugbode, who is ranked 77th in the nation according to PFSN WR Impact Grades.
Meanwhile, star receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. is also out of eligibility. Ranking 18th nationally with an impact grade of 81.6, Coleman recorded 66 receptions for 732 yards and one touchdown. The receiver was also their most targeted option, with 84 targets on the season.
Following that, the Tigers’ next move in the transfer portal will most likely be to supply its new quarterback with some weapons. This has already begun, following the announcement of Cincinnati transfer wide receiver Caleb Goodie’s commitment.
