Missouri HC Drinkwitz praises Beau Pribula ahead of camp QB battle

While the quarterback situation in Happy Valley is all but settled heading into fall camp, in Columbia, Missouri, former Nittany Lion Beau Pribula is preparing to battle for the Tigers’ starting role in his first preseason removed from the Penn State football program.

Speaking at SEC Media Days this week, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz had plenty to say about his new transfer quarterback.

“Beau, when we first talk about recruits, it’s all about the right fit for us: focus, intangibles, talent, and tough,” Drinkwitz said, as captured by PowerMizzou. “When you talk about the quarterback position, there are five traits you’re looking for. Beau had those traits.

“As a program, as an offense, you have to design to a quarterback’s strengths. I don’t think when you watch the tape, there’s not an inability for Beau to throw; he just didn’t quite have the opportunities. I would say after this spring, I’m as confident as ever that Beau is a very talented passer. I don’t really have any reservations about that.

“Obviously, when you’re recruiting out of the portal, it does happen fast. If you have somebody on campus, you have to close ’em pretty quickly. Beau, I will give a lot of credit to Beau and his maturity. He had a process that he wanted to go through. He wanted to see three different schools and then make a decision. We made an impression.”

Will Pribula win the starting job at Missouri?

Former Penn State and current Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula.

Pribula joined the Tigers this winter after throwing for 424 yards and nine touchdowns in his three seasons with the Penn State football program. While it seems unlikely that Missouri would land the high-profile transfer only to not name him the program’s starter, Drinkwitz is committed to having an open competition during training camp.

Currently, the battle is mainly viewed as a race between Pribula and Sam Horn. The redshirt junior Horn, who was recently selected in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, has appeared in four games and missed all of last year with an injury.

Missouri also welcomed former top Penn State target Matt Zollers to the roster this offseason.

“We got three quarterbacks, all a little bit different, all with some very good strengths,” said Drinkwitz. “Obviously, Sam Horn is a guy who has been in our system for a long time. Dual-threat player, plays baseball at a high level. Coming back from Tommy John surgery. Had an outstanding bowl prep, really good spring. Has really excelled in his maturation.

“...Beau came in with the right mindset. Nothing given, everything earned. Works extremely hard developing his craft. He’s a guy who spends a lot of extra time up there. Has a chip on his shoulder, the right kind of chip. Does a good job leadership-wise. Worked with him a couple days at Harmons [team service trip in Jamaica]. Impressed with his ability to connect with our team.

“Matt Zollers throws it as well as any quarterback I’ve ever seen. Coming back from an ankle surgery. You can tell he’s adjusting to the speed of college football.

“Very excited about that room and know whoever ends up emerging as the quarterback is going to be in a really good position because he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. He’s going to have a really good defense. He’s got a great supporting cast around him.”

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