Columbia News

Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and student-athletes Daylan Carnell, Connor Tollison, and Zion Young represented the football program at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Kickoff event in Atlanta. The gathering took place at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, marking the final day of the SEC's annual preseason media event.

Coach Drinkwitz and the players participated in segments for ESPN and SEC Network shows such as "SEC This Morning," "SEC Now," and "Marty and McGee." Drinkwitz’s interview with Marty Smith and Ryan McGee is scheduled to air on a special episode of "Marty & McGee: Talkin' Season" on August 11 or 12.

During his time at the podium, Coach Drinkwitz discussed several topics related to the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. Addressing the ongoing quarterback competition, he said:

"We got three quarterbacks, all a little bit different, all with some very good strengths. 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 Johns surgery. Had an outstanding bowl prep, really good spring. Has really excelled in his maturation. One thing most people don't know about Sam, he's a type one diabetic. Since he's been in college, he's learned to adapt, train, develop, adjust. He's really done a lot of good things. Understands the system."

"Beau Pribula 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. 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."

Drinkwitz also commented on Sam Horn being selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in this year’s MLB Draft:

"What an awesome accomplishment, awesome opportunity for that young man to be that good of an athlete, to be able to play, I think he threw 15 innings this year and had an outstanding season. We're so proud of him to be able to compete in two sports. Sam has been adamant this whole time to compete and win the job in the SEC, play quarterback at the highest level. Had conversations with his representatives. He was going through his Tommy John surgery, or the rehab process going through spring.That really hasn't changed.We had discussed it,Samhad relayedthe message,his agenthad relayedthe message toeveryoneinbaseballthathewasgoingtoplayfootballthisfall.So nothing'schanged.Icalledhimthedayofthedrafttomakesurehewashavingadraftparty.Icalledhimafterhegotdrafted.ItoldhimthedayhegotdraftedIwasproudofhim,andIwouldseehimat6:30workoutsinthemorning."

Regarding transfer safety Jalen Catalon joining Missouri after playing against them during 2020’s COVID-affected season:

"Jalen Catalon is a guy that played against us in 2020 during COVID year.Didn'tplayinthefirsthalfbecauseofatargetingpenaltyinMay.He cameonandwasaneliteplayer.Hasbeeneneliteplayerforalongtime.CoachSabanallsummer,hiscallsanddoesscoutingreportswithalltheheadcoaches.Nottogetbackintocoaching,wanttoclearthatupforGregMcElroy.Doesthattomakesurehehasanedgeonthecompetition.FirstpersonheaskedaboutwasJalenCatalon.Hesaid,'Manthatguyhasplayedalotofreallygoodfootball.'Youcouldseethatinthespring...he'sgotgreatinstincts.Heunderstandsdiagnoseswhatoffensesaretryingtodo.He'sgotaknackforfindingthefootballintheair.He'sreallygoodatblitzing.Weplayalotsingle-highdefenseusethatsafetytoinsertwhichissomethingthatJalencanreallydo.We'reveryexcitedaboutwhathebringstothatroom.WelostalotofcareerstartswithJosephCharleston.Weneededsomebodyinthatbackend.Communicationissovitalinthatposition.VeryveryproudandexcitedaboutJCwhathe'sgoingtobringtoourfootballteam.He'sbeenawesome."

On transfer running back Ahmad Hardy’s addition:

"Ahmad Hardy whatagreatyoungman.IthinkoneofthecoolestthingsabouthimisIknew(Louisiana-Monroecoach)BrianVincent.BrianandIhavearelationshipdatingbacktoourtimewhenIwasatAppStateandhewasaUABlearningtheoutsidezone.Itwasawesometobeabletocallhimandaskwhatarehisstrengthsweaknessesfeelforthisscheme.Whatcouldn'tbeanymorecomplimentaryofAhmadHardy?He'sanoutstandingyoungman.Aheckofahorseman.Dudeloveshorserideshorses.HasgottenKevinColemanonthebackofacoupleofhorses.Helovetogofish.HeandSantanaBanner go fishing allthetime.InfactwentfishinginthecommunitypondinBluffCreek.Hadtoapologizetomyhomeownersassociationaboutthat.Theycaughtalotoffish.Reallyexcitedaboutthatyoungman.Hehasgreatburstunderstandstheschemeandhowtorunit.Soverproudofhim."

Drinkwitz spoke about earning respect within their conference:

"If you get caught up Coach Saban calls it rat poison.Ithinkit'sratpoisoneitherway.Praiseandblameareboththesame.Youcan'tcareaboutiteitherway.Wehavea 'somethingtoprove'mindset.Whetheryou'retalkingaboutourcoachingstaffourplayersweallhavealittlebitofachiponourshoulder.Attheendofthedaytwo-minutedrivefourthquarterthat'snotwhatyou'rethinkingabout.Youthinkaboutyourtrustandbeliefineachotherdoingyourjobatahigherlevel.Youcanthinkaboutitastemporarymotivationbutinthekeymomentsit'smoreaboutthebeliefineachotherThat'sreallywhatdrivesus.

"It's our belief in our brotherhood,inourEliteEdgeProgramourbeliefinour'alwayscompete'mentality,thedevelopmentoftrustandrespectwehavewitheachother.Itshavingfunwhilewe'redoingthisthatreallydrivesusinoursuccess.Otherpeople'sopinions...Somebodyaskedmewhatthedifferencewasinmyfiveyearsbeinghere.InthefirstcoupleyearsIcaredwhaty'allthoughtaboutme.NowIdon't.Idon'tcare.I'mheretorepresentmyfamilymywifeandmyfourbeautifuldaughters.I'mheretorepresenttheUniversityofMissouriandmakeourfootballteamproud.Outsidethat,Ireallydon'tcarewhatanybodyelsethinks."

On transfer quarterback Beau Pribula joining Missouri from Penn State after considering multiple schools before making his decision:

"Beau when we first talk about recruits it's all abouttherightfitforusfocusintangiblestalentandtough.Whenyoutalkaboutthequarterbackpositiontherearefivetraitsyou'relookingfor.Beauhadthosetraits.Asaprogramasanoffenseyouhavetodesigntoaquarterback'sstrengths.Idon'tthinkwhenyouwatchthetape there'snotaninabilityforBeautothrowhejjustdidn'tquitehavetheopportunities.IwouldsayafterthisspringI'masconfidentaseverthatBeauisaverytalentedpasser.Idon'treallyhaveanyreservationsaboutthatObviouslywhenyou'rerecruitingoutoftheportallitdoes happenfast.Ifyouhavesomebodyoncampusyohavetoclose'emprettyquickly.BeauIwllgivealotocredittobeaundhismaturityHehadaprocessthathwantedtogothroughHewantedtoseethreedifferentschoolsandanmakadecisionWemadeanimpression."