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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou football spring practices kicked off this week and for just the second time in his five years in Columbia, Coach Eli Drinkwitz doesn’t begin the year tackling questions about the quarterback competition. Brady Cook has started 27 consecutive games for the Tigers, dating back to the 2021 Armed Forces Bowl. This year, unlike last, he’s not recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He’s a two-time captain and among the most prolific passers in program history.
But there is a quarterback story line to follow this offseason: Sophomore Sam Horn will miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on the elbow of his throwing (right) arm, Coach Drinkwitz confirmed this week. Horn, also a promising pitcher for Kerrick Jackson‘s baseball team, will miss the 2024 season on the mound, too. His injury shortens the Tigers’ QB bench this spring, providing an opportunity for freshman Aidan Glover, Southern University transfer Harold “J.R.” Blood Jr. and veteran walk-on Tommy Lock.
As for Horn, he opted for complete reconstructive surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
“That timetable is unknown, but our goal for Sam Horn is to be 100% healthy when he comes back,” Drinkwitz said this week. “Healthy for him is throwing 96 (mph) off the bump and throwing 50-yard touchdowns. So when he is both of those, then we’ll have him ready to play football for us. But first and foremost, he’s a unique football and baseball talent. We got to get him healthy.”
“There was an opportunity there that you could have potentially not done a full reconstruction and been back quicker for football but leave something to be desired on the baseball end,” he added. “I think he was at one point considered a top 30 prospects for the 2025 (MLB) draft. So I mean, our number one goal is to get back to that first and then we’ll see that will positively affect football, too.”
A year ago this time, Cook was mostly a spectator during spring practices as he gradually increased his workload following shoulder surgery. But after a breakout 2023 season (3,317 yards, 21 TD passes), the Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP hasn’t lost the edge that’s defined his journey at Mizzou.
“Brady hasn’t changed,” Drinkwitz said, “really since Week 3 after we beat K-State. He’s kind of been the same consistent person not looking over your shoulder, just being uniquely him. He is driving a much nicer car because of an NIL deal. And I’ve seen a couple more commercials on like Instagram and stuff. Maybe we’ve got to make sure he’s not going to be a celebrity quarterback. But he’s Mr. Consistent. So I don’t really worry about that part of it. I don’t think that he’s approaching spring a whole lot different than then how he approached bowl practice — with something to prove.”
NUMBERS GAME
It’s a new football season, which means we’ve all got new names and numbers to learn. Newcomers are still earning their jersey numbers in practice, while a few returning players have switched numbers. Here’s what you’ll need to know before the Tigers take the field for the March 16 Black and Gold Game:
OFFENSE
2 Marquis Johnson, receiver
4 Marcus Carroll, running back
8 Nate Noel, running back
13 Aidan Glover, quarterback
17 Harold Blood Jr., quarterback
50 Talan Chandler, offensive line
70 Cayden Green, offensive line
71 Ryan Jostes, offensive line
72 Caleb Pyfrom, offensive line
76 Jayven Richardson, offensive line
DEFENSE
0 Phillip Roche, defensive back
1 Marvin Burks, defensive back
2 Toriano Pride Jr., defensive back
7 Chris McClellan, defensive tackle
8 Marcus Clarke, defensive back
9 Zion Young, defensive end
10 Sterling Webb, defensive tackle
11 Corey Flagg, linebacker
19 Darris Smith, linebacker
21 Trajen Greco, defensive back
26 Caleb Flagg, defensive back
29 Cameron Keys, defensive back
39 Gerald Lacy Jr., defensive back
48 Brady Hultman, linebacker
NICE LITTLE SATURDAY
Don’t leave your seat for long at halftime of Saturday’s men’s basketball game against Ole Miss. Mizzou’s track and field seniors will be honored during the break, followed by the Cotton Bowl trophy presentation for the football program. Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker will be on hand to officially honor game MVPs Brady Cook and Johnny Walker Jr. with their trophies.
Last but by no means least, former Mizzou assistant coach and fundraiser Brad Loos will be on hand with his family to deliver his speech for the ninth annual Rally For Rhyan Game. During the game, fans will be able donate money toward pediatric cancer research. Fans can also purchase T-shirts and participate in a silent auction that benefits the charity. Brad’s daughter Rhyan was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in the fall of 2015, and while Rhyan has been cancer free since 2016, her family’s mission marches on. Rally For Rhyan has raised more than $500,000 over the last eight events in Columbia.
Oh, it’s also Star Wars night. Bring on the Jawas!
TWEET OF THE WEEK
From Valori Robinson, mother of former Mizzou defensive lineman and Detroit native Darius Robinson, who’s in Indianapolis this week, one of eight former Tigers invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Darius Robinson at Lions training facility gets autograph from a Defensive Player, now it’s time for him to switch sides. pic.twitter.com/m34U0Yieqf
— Ms.Robinson (@RobinsonValori) February 29, 2024
TIGER TRIVIA
1: We know that 7-foot-5 center Connor Vanover is the tallest player in Mizzou men’s basketball history? But who is the shortest?
2: After playing in her final home game Thursday, women’s basketball’s Hayley Frank is eight points away from becoming the fourth 2,000-point scorer in program history. She’s also on pace to become the fifth player to lead the Tigers in points three consecutive years. Who are the others?
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, March 1
Tennis vs. Georgia, 11 a.m.
Tennis vs. Lindenwood, 4 p.m.
Baseball vs. Northern Kentucky, SEC Network+ 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 2
Softball vs. Wichita State, 11 a.m. (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Baseball vs. Northern Kentucky, SEC Network+ 2 p.m.
Softball at Nebraska, 4 p.m., (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Men’s Basketball vs. Ole Miss, SEC Network 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3
Tennis vs. Georgia, 9 a.m.
Softball vs. Wichita State, 11 a.m. (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Baseball vs. Northern Kentucky, SEC Network+ 1 p.m.
Softball at Nebraska, 1:30 p.m. (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Women’s Basketball at Mississippi State, 2 p.m., SEC Network+ (Starkville, Mississippi)
Tennis vs. Lindenwood, 4 p.m.
Gymnastics vs. Arkansas, SEC Network 5 p.m.
Monday, March 4
Men’s Golf at Colleton River Challenge (Bluffton, South Carolina)
Tuesday, March 5
Men’s Golf at Colleton River Challenge (Bluffton, South Carolina)
Baseball vs. Lindenwood, 3 p.m.
Men’s Basketball vs. Auburn, 8 p.m., SEC Network
Wednesday, March 6
Women’s Basketball vs. TBA at SEC Tournament (Greenville, South Carolina)
Softball at Kansas City, 4 p.m. (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, March 7
Women’s Basketball vs. TBA at SEC Tournament (Greenville, South Carolina)
Friday, March 8
Women’s Basketball vs. TBA at SEC Tournament (Greenville, South Carolina)
Track and Field at NCAA Indoor Championships (Boston, Massachusetts)
Baseball v. Purdue Fort Wayne, 3 p.m.
Tennis at Auburn, 3 p.m. (Auburn, Alabama)
Softball vs. Auburn, 4 p.m.
TIGER TRIVIA
1: Joni Davis, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85; Erika Martin, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96; Julie Helm, 1996-97, 19997-98, 1998-99; Sophie Cunningham, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19.
2. The shortest player ever listed on a Mizzou roster Barney Passer (No. 9 below) at 5-foot-2. The St. Louis native lettered for the Tigers in 1932 and 1933. Naturally, with the name Passer, he was a starting guard for the Tigers.
LINKS TO CLICK
Those interested in learning how to support Mizzou Athletics can contact the Tiger Scholarship Fund Office at 573-882-0704 and visit www.tsfmizzou.com.
For all the latest information on Mizzou Athletics, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on X, Instagram and Facebook.
