The Missouri Tigers passing offense had a strong debut for the 2024 season, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. In the 51-0 win over Murray State, quarterback Brady Cook threw for 228 yards and a touchdown, completing 31 of his 20 attempts. However, he was innacurate on each of his four failed attempts on throws over 20 yards.
But the deep-ball accuracy is not what head coach Eli Drinkwitz is concerned about. Cook, now in his third year as Missouri’s starter, has proven in games and in practice that he can connect with receivers down in the field.
Drinkwitz is more worried about the passing attack’s execution on key plays.
“We do need to be more consistent in the throw game,” Drinkwitz said in his weekly press conference Tuesday. “The third downs that we missed were concerning for me. There’s plenty for us to work on, plenty for us to be concerned with that we need to correct, and we need to really do a good job.”
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Missouri attempted a pass on seven third-down plays throughout the game. Only three were enough to move the chains. This led to the Tigers punting on two drives and having to settle for field goals on two others, leaving plenty of potential points on the board.
When Drinkwitz was asked what is needed to improve in this area, he put an emphasis on both the quarterbacks and receivers having better timing and focus on the details.
“It starts with fundamentals, route depth, timing, the quarterback setting his feet when he makes throws, mot drifting after he throws the ball to get ready to go do a celebration,” Drinkwitz said. “Finish the throw, have your feet set in the pocket. Wide receivers gotta run their routes at the correct depth. They have to explode out and the quarterbacks have to make the throws.”
Drinkwitz added that these have been key focuses of practice early on this week in individual, walk through and team sections.
Missouri will get their next chance to improve in this area Saturday, when it hosts Buffalo at 6 p.m. for week two of the college football season.
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How to Watch: Buffalo at Missouri; Full Week 2 College Football Schedule
Brady Cook has Chance to Climb Missouri Leaderboards in Week 2
The 3rd Hour of TODAY anchors are motoring west and heading to Springfield, Missouri for what we’re calling Destination: Route 66!
On Thursday, April 30, Al Roker and Dylan Dryer will be broadcasting LIVE from downtown Springfield — and we’re inviting you to get your kicks on Route 66 and experience the city’s one-of-a-kind culture at Birthplace Plaza.
We’ll take you along for an incredible tour of everything the city has to offer — from local food and music to the stories that made Route 66 famous. We’ll even catch up with legendary actor and proud Missouri State alum, John Goodman!
Join Al and Dylan as they experience all that Springfield has to offer and get a firsthand look at America’s most famous highway. Space is limited, so secure your place to attend this free taping by registering now.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced two gubernatorial appointments Friday to vacant positions in mid-Missouri counties.
Doug Miller, of California, Mo., was appointed as Moniteau County associate commissioner, district one.
Miller is a Moniteau County native who has worked as a middle school physical education and health teacher in the county for 27 years. Since 2021, he has worked as an office manager for Rackers Manufacturing and a bus driver for the California school district.
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Rodney Southard, of Rolla, was appointed as Maries County eastern district commissioner.
Southard is a fifth-generation Missouri farmer who previously worked as a support specialist for NEW Solutions and a surface water specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey. He is currently the chairman of MU Extension in Maries County.
Edge rusher turned out to be a strong position for the New Orleans Saints last season. Saints edge rushers combined for 28.5 sacks in 2025, with Chase Young and Cameron Jordan accounting for 20.5 sacks and 52 pressures. Jordan is currently a free agent and will be in his 16th season if he does return. This leads most believing that the team will pursue a young edge rusher in the draft. One option could be Missouri Tigers pass rusher Zion Young if this happens. Young is one of a handful of talented edge defenders that could still be on the board midway through the second day. Here is a closer look at the profile of perhaps one of the more underrated defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Zion Young bio
Position: Edge
College: Missouri Tigers
Height: 6-feet, 6 inches
Weight: 262 pounds
Out of Westlake High School in Georgia, Young initially committed to the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten. He’d see limited playing time during eight games in 2022 but still managed a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss among 21 total stops. Young was much more involved for the Spartans in 2023, recording 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He’d enter the transfer portal after that season, landing with the Missouri Tigers in the SEC.
A stout Missouri defense was strengthened with Young’s addition. He contributed 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss among his 42 total stops in 2024. Last season, Young solidified his attention from NFL scouts. He led the Tigers with 16.5 tackles for loss, second best in the SEC, in addition to 6.5 sacks. Those numbers earned him 1st Team All-SEC honors.
Strengths
Prototype size and length for both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts
Displays good power and leverage on contact
Strength to muscle through double-teams
Sets the edge extremely well against the run
Keeps blockers off–balance with combination of speed and power
Sets up inside moves with good arm extension
Weaknesses
Inconsistent pass rush production
Lacks refined counter moves
Not a great bend around the outside of tackles
Must do a better job at disengaging for pursuit
Questionable agility for a stand-up edge rusher
Zion Young 2026 draft outlook
Most predictions have Young being selected in the second or third round. He does have the power and upside to be a surprise first round selection for the right scheme. While his agility and athleticism creates some questions, there is little doubt that he has the raw power and tenacity to be a defensive contributor.
New Orleans is expected to add an edge rusher within the first two days of the draft. With an emphasis on an improved run defense, Young could be a welcomed addition to their system as a strong side defender. Young’s upside as a pass rusher would govern how much he plays early, but he would likely be an immediate part of any defensive rotation along the outside.
