Missouri

More transfers to follow, but Missouri football has inked some key returners

Published

3 months ago

December 28, 2025

More transfers to follow, but Missouri football has inked some key returners

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Eli Drinkwitz just had to make sure.

He knew Nicholas Rodriguez, one of Missouri football’s few real standouts with 15 total tackles in the Tigers’ disappointing 13-7 loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27, had put pen to paper to return next season. But, in college football in 2025, it doesn’t hurt to double-check.

“We’ve got a really strong foundation. Nick’s going to be back,” Drinkwitz said, then paused and turned to his sophomore linebacker over his right shoulder. “You’re going to be back, right?”

“Yeah,” Rodriguez said, smiling.

Rodriguez was among a list of four players the Mizzou coach, of his own accord, confirmed are signed to return in 2026. The others are star running back Ahmad Hardy, freshman quarterback Matt Zollers and defensive tackle Jalen Marshall.

Now, that’s a short list to work with while trying to get a feel for what the Tigers might look like in 2026.

And, as we’ve seemingly seen from some of Mizzou’s recent expected portal entrants and a lawsuit (and countersuit) involving Georgia and current MU defensive end Damon Wilson II, signing paperwork isn’t nearly as guaranteed as most coaches and teams would like it to be.

But it’s a start. And an important start.

Drinkwitz indicated that there are more players who were on the roster for the Gator Bowl who will not be suiting up in Columbia next season.

“Starting tomorrow (Dec. 28) we’ll finish up re-signing the current roster,” Drinkwitz said. “There’s going to be guys (transferring), there’s guys that already told us that they were going to transfer but they wanted to play tonight. We really appreciate those guys finishing.”

This is shaping up to be a crucial transfer portal for the Tigers.

Zollers, a true freshman, looked raw and more of a project than a clear-cut QB1 for the 2026 season. Quarterback is going to be an area of need for Missouri when the transfer portal opens up, as starter Beau Pribula is among the nine MU players who have already been confirmed as soon-to-be former Tigers.

There is still no public word on whether a trio of draft-eligible third-year players — Wilson, linebacker Josiah Trotter and left tackle Cayden Green — will stay in college or enter the NFL Draft process this offseason.

And, without getting into the weeds, here’s a quick glance at where Mizzou is losing starters or key rotation members just to eligibility: Right tackle; center; slot receiver; field defensive end; two defensive tackles; two more linebackers; both starting corners; free safety.

Like Drinkwitz said, the day after the Gator Bowl is going to be spent figuring out who they can get back. That means announcements are likely to be rolling in soon.

Then, if all of that wasn’t enough, the madness really starts.

“Then once we have kind of a final feel of where that is, then we’ll go attack the portal and build a new team. That’s college football now. I mean, every team’s looking to rebuild their roster post bowl games, post coaching changes, whatever. That’s what we’ll do.”

That’s not new. Missouri has mostly navigated the choppy transfer portal waters quite successfully over the past few seasons.

Drinkwitz, even back on early signing day Dec. 3, took “whatever it’ll be, it’ll be” stance to the numbers the Tigers will take when the frantic fortnight — the portal is officially open for entries Jan. 2-16 — gets underway.

Where Missouri fails to re-sign potential returners, it will add players. Where there is glaring needs, be it because of draft-bound players or otherwise, the Tigers will replenish. It’s not a complex formula but could become quite busy.

Tack on that the SEC is moving back to 105 scholarships in 2026, up from 85, and you might see an even larger influx this season.

Pure mathematics suggests the number of newcomers between now and spring ball will comfortably top 20 players. That does not account for potential early NFL Draft declarations or potential portal-bound players. The Tribune counted 75 scholarship players who can return to Mizzou next season, sheerly based on eligibility.

If that sounds expensive in the NIL and revenue-sharing age, you’re right. Teams have $20.5 million in the revenue pot to share directly with student-athletes, and that’s for all sports, not just football. You can bet the likes of Hardy and Rodriguez aren’t getting shortchanged.

Before sourcing third-party deals — and you can now see why Drinkwitz was so vocal about finding that form of funding this season as he weighed a contract extension — that’s a limited pool for massive offseason need.

Exactly how that will impact Missouri’s portal strategy will be among the more fascinating offseason storylines. How many bona-fide stars do the Tigers chase, and at what positions? Who and where are the priorities?

“I think we’ve got a really good foundation in the trenches. We got a really good foundation in the skill positions. So, it’s about filling in the holes, sustaining the culture,” Drinkwitz said. “Guys like Nick and Ahmad and Matt and Jalen Marshall, all these guys that have committed to coming back and re-signing, they’ve got to carry the culture that’s been established, that (graduating center Connor Tollison) fought for.

“That will be what we do. Back to work. I mean, nothing good comes easy. It will be a fight to the finish here, or a fight to finish off re-signing our team, and then we’ll go to work. That’s what we’ll do.”

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Missouri

Missouri bill that would split Jackson County and Kansas City gets little support from lawmakers

Published

7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Missouri bill that would split Jackson County and Kansas City gets little support from lawmakers

A Missouri House committee had its first hearing this week on a proposed constitutional amendment that would split Kansas City and Jackson County upon approval by voters.

The legislation is nicknamed “Jackxit,” a nod to Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union in 2020.

Republican state Rep. Mike Steinmeyer is sponsoring the bill. He said eastern Jackson County voters feel underrepresented in the county government, and this legislation would give them the power to change that.

At the hearing, committee members listened to Steinmeyer’s presentation of the bill before asking questions and sharing their thoughts.

Democratic state Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore compared what the bill proposes to “The Great Divorce” that saw the legal separation of the city of St. Louis from St. Louis County in 1876.

Several committee members criticized a part of the bill that says if it’s signed into law, the question of whether to split the county in two would appear on the Missouri ballot every 10 years.

Moore called it a “never-ending clause.”

“There’s a provision that says every 10 years this has to go back on the ballot, whether you like it or not,” Moore said. “And we’re going to keep voting on it, until you vote the way we think you should.”

Democratic state Rep. Jeff Hales said the bill’s language suggests the question would reappear on the ballot every 10 years until it’s approved by voters.

“Why does it end when it’s approved if the importance and the value here is giving the voters of Jackson County a right to weigh in on their charter and their government?” Hales said.

Steinmeyer said that clause exists to give Jackson County voters the opportunity to weigh in on their form of government.

“It gives them the right to speak and say we want change, or we want to abolish and start over,” Steinmeyer said. “That’s all we’re asking for.”

Democratic state Rep. Ashley Aune questioned how the ballot question would protect the right of voters. Steinmeyer said it protects their right to vote and be heard, specifically on their governance.

Lobbyist Shannon Cooper testified on behalf of the city of Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. He said during a public comment period that the bill was “the most befuddling piece of legislation” that he’s had to testify for or against.

Cooper brought up the historic recall election of County Executive Frank White Jr. and said the recall showed the system Steinmeyer is trying to fix with this bill can work.

“If the voters are not happy, they can deal with their problems,” Cooper said. “They’ve proven that in the last year.”

No action was taken on the bill, and it is not yet scheduled for a future hearing.

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Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s $2.6 billion budget for 2026-27

Published

19 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s .6 billion budget for 2026-27

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve a $2.6 billion budget for the city’s fiscal year of 2026-27.

The budget includes $744 million in spending for public safety, including $26.3 million for a new Department of Community Safety and $4.2 million to hire 50 new KCMO Police Department officers, along with 10 call takers and 10 dispatchers.

“Our budget respects the strong fiscal foundation the taxpayers have helped Kansas City build, maintaining a rainy-day fund of over $200 million, increasing road resurfacing, hiring more public safety and city workers, and investing in all Kansas City neighborhoods,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a news release from the city. “In a city that can walk and chew gum, we are proud to welcome the world while delivering strong basic services for Kansas City’s families.”

The council voted to spend $83.8 million for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide bus services, but the KCATA may have to make cuts in bus services even with a $6 million boost in funding from the city.

In addition, the council approved spending $39.4 million for citywide street resurfacing and $1.5 million for tearing down dangerous buildings.

“This budget reflects a collaborative effort across the city, and provides a clear path for Kansas City to keep moving forward with discipline, accountability and a focus on service,” City Manager Mario Vasquez said in the news release. “Thank you to the council for its thoughtful deliberation and input in crafting this budget.”

More information on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget can be found on the city’s website.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 25, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 3-2-0

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 0-0-5

Evening Wild: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-6-3-9

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-5-6-8

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 25 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 09

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 25 drawing

12-14-22-26-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 25 drawing

35-38-41-43-62, Powerball: 08

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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