Hi, new to writing trying this out. I am writing a series of articles we’re doing going over every position for the Missouri Tigers and expectation of the beginning of the football season this coming Thursday. Let me know your thoughts on an article. Thanks.
https://1821mosports.com/2026/08/20/position-preview-series-tight-ends/
Went through the whole running back room for a preview and Roberts is the guy I keep coming back to.
St. Mary's kid, three-star, buried on the depth chart for two straight years. Played one game in 2023. Sat behind Noel and Carroll in 2024 and still found 53 carries for 216. Then Mizzou lands Hardy and everyone forgets he exists.
He didn't portal out. He waited. And in the Border War he went 13 carries for 143 yards with the 60-plus yard go-ahead score. Three 100-yard games last season playing behind a guy putting up Heisman-level numbers.
He starts on most SEC rosters. He chose to stay here and wait his turn, and Week 1 is finally his.
Behind him:
**Xai'Shaun Edwards, RS SO** — FCS transfer, 194 carries for 1,019 and 12 TDs last year. 5'9", quick, tenacious. I'd guess something like a 70/30 split with Roberts early, with Edwards getting real work through the non-conference slate.
**Ahmad Hardy, JR** — medically cleared, hasn't practiced yet, Drinkwitz said more info coming Aug 22. Whenever he's back he's RB1, full stop. 251 carries, 1,651 yards, 16 TDs last season, including a 300-yard game against Mississippi State.
This might be the most talented back room Missouri has had in the Drinkwitz era. The question isn't talent, it's timing.
Full breakdown: https://1821mosports.com/2026/08/16/position-preview-series-the-running-backs/ — QBs went up the day before.
(I write at 1821 Sports, small Missouri sports site out of Columbia.)
With Pribula off to Virginia, the room is almost entirely new. Went through all four:
**Austin Simmons, RS JR — starter.** Had the Ole Miss job until the injury, then Chambliss took it and never gave it back. His three real outings: 20/31, 341, 3 TD, 2 INT vs Georgia State; 13/24, 235, 2 INT vs Kentucky; 7/12, 100, 1 INT vs the Citadel. The stat line doesn't sell you on him. The arm does — he can put it anywhere on the field from any platform. And unlike Pribula, he's a passer who can run instead of a runner trying to be a passer (22 carries, 71 yards, but 61 of those came in the first two games before he got hurt).
**Matt Zollers, SO.** The only returner. Big-time recruit, thrown into backup duty as a true freshman after Horn went down on the first play of his season. Looked great in relief at Vandy after Pribula got carted off — led a TD drive, hit Jude James. Then the A&M start happened: 7/22, 77 yards, 16.8 QBR. Bounced back some vs Mississippi State (8/15, 112, 2 TD). Elite arm talent, but he processes slow and the ball sails.
**Nick Evers, RS SR.** Oklahoma → Wisconsin → UConn. Best stretch was 2024 with the Huskies: 97/180, 919 yards, 5 TD, 5 INT. Mentor and emergency insurance.
**Gavin Sidwar, FR.** Three-star out of LaSalle College, PA. State title, school records. Almost certainly redshirts.
The honest read: Drinkwitz swung on upside with Pribula and whiffed. Simmons is the same swing with a better bat. If the accuracy shows up, this offense is more dangerous than it was last year. If it doesn't, it's worse.
Full breakdown with the rest of the tape notes is on my site: https://1821mosports.com/2026/08/15/position-preview-series-the-quarterbacks/ — running backs went up right behind it.
(I write at 1821 Sports, small Missouri sports blog out of Columbia.)