SHOCKER: Eli Drinkwitz STUNS Fans by Naming Austin Simmons as Mizzou QB1 EARLY—Why Now?

It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Introducing the all-new Mazda CX-5.

Featuring more connection.

Hey, Google, where's the nearest Pilates class?

Safety that has your back.

More discovery on the scenic routes.

More passion in the details.

A more controlled and changing weather.

The all-new Mazda CX-5.

More to move every side of you.

See it in five films at MazdaUSA.com slash five sides.

Google is a trademark of Google LLC.

Sequence is shortened and simulated.

What's up, everybody?

This is Ross Jackson, one of the hosts of the Lockdown Podcast Network.

And if you haven't heard yet, we started a club and we would love for you to join.

It's called the Everydayer Club.

And one of the things that you get as a member is an ad-free version of the podcast

that you're listening to right now.

It works with whatever podcast app you already used.

Same episodes every day, just no ad.

There's also a member's only group chat for fans of your team plus a lot more.

You can check it out by tapping the Everydayer Club link in the show notes.

Mizoo wraps up their spring ball.

Eli Drinkwood's name's Austin Simmons is QB1.

A bit of a surprise.

We'll tell you why.

You are Lockdown SEC, your daily podcast on the southeastern conference.

Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

What's up, everybody?

I'm Chris Gordy.

This episode is brought to you by Mazda.

We put that same drive in every detail, wins to find the moment, putting in the work.

That defines you.

Stay tuned for highlights in this week's Moving the Game Forward.

There's more to a Mazda because there's more to you on today's show.

We'll get you caught up with some of the action from the NCAA tournament.

But first we got to start with some spring ball action as Mazoo wrapped up their spring practice yesterday.

Of course they get started before everybody else.

Eli Drinkwood's likes to have his spring always worked on before spring break.

And so they got started in February wrapped up their spring ball yesterday.

A little bit of surprise as Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwood's making a decision on who his QB1 will be to start the season.

Austin Simmons, the former Ole Miss starter who transferred to Columbia following last season,

beating out Nick Evers and Matt Zollers.

Not a surprise that Austin Simmons won the job.

Just a bit of a surprise that they announced the starter because we've seen Eli Drinkwood's kind of slow play this thing.

He's not one to quickly rush into naming who his starter would be.

Although, like we said, we knew it was going to be Austin Simmons.

But a year ago this time we kind of had a good idea.

It was going to be both pervule of the Penn State transfer.

We knew, you know, years prior that it was going to be Brady Cook.

So again, not a surprise on who the starter is, but a surprise that they're just getting the mystery out the window on March 19th.

Hey, he's our guy.

Austin Simmons is the dude.

And so we will see as Mizzou begins their 2026 season September 5th at home against Arkansas Pine Bluff.

It will be Austin Simmons under center, barring everything going healthy throughout the rest of the summer months into the fall.

Join us now to talk about the Missouri Tigers as they have concluded their spring ball practices.

Our buddy John Miller from locked on Mizzou and John.

This has kind of become a thing to get used to when it comes to Mizzou that they start before everybody else and they wrap before everybody else when it comes to spring ball.

Because drink likes to get on all the work before before there, you know, spring break where some schools like to, you know, they'll take spring break off in the middle of things.

But welcome in, man.

What a spring it was for Mizzou getting all this work in early.

Oh, yeah, so exciting.

So much news.

Yeah, I mean, to be honest, the only thing is you like drink, which is at least honest with us that he doesn't really care about spring football.

He's not going to make much of it.

And the last couple of years with the construction in the north end of the stadium.

It's been a great excuse for Eli to not even have a spring game.

So I'll be I'll be curious to see if that comes back in 27.

I don't think it will, to be honest with you.

Yeah, and the interesting part too with with drink with some company.

The last couple of years, even when they had Brady cook and then obviously last year with Bob Herbula, they didn't, he kind of took his time to name a starter yet.

A little bit different this this year yesterday to conclude spring ball.

He names a starter.

He liked what's making a decision on who will be QB one.

And I mean, look, no surprise.

It's going to be Austin Simmons, the former starter from Ole Miss transferred in this offseason beats out.

The portal mate Nick Evers, and of course, sophomore Matt Zollers, who was a true freshman.

And I sure got a handful of stars.

So not surprising.

We all expected it, but also a little bit uncharacteristic for drink.

Because he normally draws this thing out says there's no rush to name a starter.

Why draw, you know, why, why Russian anything?

Yeah, I agree.

You and I were talking a little bit off air.

And I was sarcastically reacting to the news.

They're going, oh my god, I can't believe it.

Austin Simmons.

But at the same time, I do think you can be a little bit optimistic if you're a Missouri fan here and say,

yeah, this is a little bit out of the norm and say, hey, maybe Austin Simmons has maybe grabbed the reins a little bit more.

Maybe then Bo Purvula did last season.

That's the optimistic side of it.

I think maybe I don't even know if there's a pessimistic side of it.

I think maybe the other reaction is maybe this is just a different strategy by Eli Drinkowitz and his staff as well.

Maybe they just want to name a starter more early in the process and just put all of that to bed.

Have the media, the fans focus over here, almost being the magician, if you will.

It's interesting to because look, dollars was was a highly tired recruit.

But you know, the sample size we saw from last year, there was some good, but also a lot bad.

It was just, and look, it's a reality going through growing pains as a true freshman being thrown into the fire.

But when the season ended, I remember somebody telling me, oh, well, Mizzou's got their quarterback for next year.

I said, whoa, I don't think there's going to roll with dollars next year.

I think they're going to look at the portal.

And so to go to the portal and get a guy experience like Austin Simmons.

I mean, the crazy part is, John, like a year ago this time, we weren't talking Trident Chambliss at all at Ole Miss.

It was all about Austin Simmons.

I talked to it at the Manning Passing Academy last summer.

This is a kid that was super excited to take over the reins at Ole Miss and be the guy.

And, you know, fortunately, an ankle injury sidelines him, but it's not like he lost the job or got beat out by Trident Chambliss.

He won that starting job.

He earned it.

It's just the injury.

And the way Trident was on a heater, he never got it back.

But this is a guy.

It's not exactly chopped liver coming over to Como.

This is a legit SEC starting quarterback.

Yeah, it's a really interesting situation.

And almost there aren't a lot of, there aren't a ton of analogous situations in college football history other than

off top of my head, maybe like Jalen Hertz to a tug of myola, like that kind of thing where, you know,

a guy who is the presumptive starter ends up getting knocked out.

It's just, it's a very interesting situation.

And one where Missouri feels like it needs to roll the dice on the talent here on Austin Simmons.

And I think what Missouri is trying to put out here is, yeah, this guy has limited experience, limited snaps as a starter.

But we believe in him.

I think that's very much what Missouri is trying to put out here.

Yeah, you look at the numbers he put up last year, you know, or really as two seasons combined,

a little bit mop up duty the air prior, but a thousand yards passing six touchdowns.

The interceptions were a little bit of a concern, five interceptions he did throw.

But again, a guy who's comes in and, and nothing gets both pervula, but even more skins on the wall than what pervula had.

I feel like it at Penn State.

So, you know, when we talk realistic expectations for Austin Simmons, what's the buzz from his new fans on him?

Well, let's just say I'll just speak for myself here.

I think when you look back to last year, you mentioned Bo Purbule and mad dollars.

I just don't think the Missouri passing game in general can be any worse than it was last season.

So at the very least, I think, I think the Tigers will be better and not only does Austin Simmons have more arm talent,

I think then certainly, then certainly Brady Cook and Bo Purbule Matt Zollers has a heck of an arm.

No doubt about that.

But Simmons at six foot four to me allows Missouri to potentially attack the intermediate middle part of the field as well.

Not just outside of the numbers with that arm strength, but with his size.

I think you've potentially got that as well.

And I'll tell you this on Matt Zollers.

I'm not ready to give up on him whatsoever.

A guy who was a true freshman thrown into the SEC unexpectedly last season.

And a guy who in high school, his senior year of high school had a dislocated ankle where his foot was pointing the exact opposite direction.

And so for him to come back that season, hey, that good on him for being a tough guy and a competitor.

But no more often than not, I think the following season is you recover from a serious injury like that.

And you get back to not just being on the field, but back to your full performance as well.

I think that's what we'll see for Matt Zollers.

Hopefully this is a red shirt season for him, ideally.

And he'll still have a couple seasons, even post Austin Simmons to potentially start.

What is in your opinion, just looking at Austin Simmons and what you know and know about him.

I mean, is the upside on him higher than that of Brady Cook?

It's nothing gets Brady Cook. He did what he was supposed to do with the program and through for turning yards want a lot of games.

But does it feel like the talent level is even higher than what Brady Cook got you to?

I don't think there's any question.

I'm as big of a Brady cook of fan as I think anybody who's a Missouri guy.

But I don't think there's any comparison as far as actual ceiling Austin Simmons is not only again.

Not only has a better arm is physically just a bigger guy as well, which absolutely makes a difference.

Especially if we're talking, hey, upside the NFL level, but even at the college level, it matters to even a sport where we've seen.

Guys like Bryce Young and Kyler Murray, for example, Excel.

It still is less than ideal to be five foot nine, not the Brady Cook was that small.

I'm just saying Austin Simmons is he's a special kind of talent. He really is.

This is Mazda's moving game forward for those who showed there's more to the score than what's on the screen.

And today we're highlighting Tyler Tanner from Vanderbilt scoring 26 points to go with seven rebounds.

Five assists and a steal as Vanderbilt got the win over McNeese 78 to 68 on Thursday.

Tanner was seven of 16 shooting from the field and helped elevate the Comma doors to their first NCAA tournament.

Went in over a decade.

Since 2012 Mark Biden's crew getting it done.

And it's moments like these are a minus.

What it really takes to raise the bars and extra work off the court, dialing in every detail, given it that extra fire, that grit that I'd ever quit.

We put that same passion into every model at Mazda highlights make the real what it takes to get there makes it count.

There's more to a Mazda because there's more to you. And if you are looking for a new vehicle, I recommend our friends over in Mazda as they always say Mazda move and be moved.

Also remind you guys college basketball is nonstop the big games tight spreads momentum swings every single night from early tip offs.

The late night West Coast shootouts. There's always action on the board right now.

Fandall is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a college basketball parlay profit boost.

You can build any college hoops parlay you want.

You like some of the action happening today in the NCAA tournament.

You've got Kentucky minus three and a half today against Santa Clara.

You got Alabama minus 11 and a half against Hofstra.

You got Tennessee minus 11 and a half against Miami, Ohio.

Some big spreads there. If you like the underdog or you want to roll with the SEC favorite.

Go safe. Go bold ride with the team. You've been following all season.

It's your parlay, your style.

Now with more upside behind it. Head to fandall.com today to get started.

It's fandall.com.

Fandall as we always say play your game.

I thank you guys for making a lot on SEC your first list of the day.

Thank you for making a lot on the number on sports podcast network.

You already live your team every day.

Now you take it up a level. Go add free.

Join our every day or club and.

Hey, get your first month of our every day or club for free when you use our code March.

You will unlock ad free episodes and entry into our private listener group chat.

Or we're hanging out daily. Click on the link in the show notes.

We're going to lock down SEC dot super cast dot com to claim your free month using the code March.

It's obviously the you know what happened with what turned it ad taken over.

But it looks like you you've been such a team guy because that's easy to.

You know, be the the guy who gets angry about it or whatever.

But it's cool to see you supporting him and him supporting you along this journey this year.

Yeah, it's me. That's all I can do.

Honestly, and just keep on doing before because at the end of the day, you never know when your name is going to be called.

Like last year, you know, like just like that George game like any moment.

It's like going to be like.

And I'm expecting to have a moment for me to jump in like, you know, just go play a game.

What what did you see from from him this year turned out once he got in there.

And I mean, look like man, he the moment was not too big for him.

It seems like he's from from the moment he got in there.

It's been business as usual.

He's explosive on his dynamic.

You know, we all see him for what he is.

He's supposed to run in a great pass here.

He's a great thread like every single phase of the ball.

So really.

The limits are there's really no limits in his office with them.

So yeah, seeing how he performs really how he took this team to the next level.

It's like really amazing.

We can see our conversation with John Miller from a locked on Mizzou and John as we look at this Missouri team.

It's not just quarterback Austin Simmons a new face.

But some new faces that wide receiver.

And you know, it starts with the guy who was a true freshman last year who heads into a sophomore season in Donovan.

Alubina.

I think I got that right.

You know, I've got it wrong so many times.

But bringing over Kaden Lee from from Ole Miss is a guy that played a lot of football in the SEC in his very experience.

Funny.

He was like, oh, Kaden Lee is really catching some attention.

It's like, well, yeah, he should.

He's a guy who has the chemistry with Austin Simmons already.

But bringing it out like Caleb Goody.

It's interesting because it's some new faces there at the wide receiver spot from Mizzou over.

We got so used to seeing Luther Burton and a lot of those regulars the last handful of years.

Yeah, the thing is I almost look at I almost look at Kaden Lee as kind of like Kevin Coleman.

And I did, I also chuckled at that on three report as well.

Not that it was inaccurate or anything.

It was, it was very similar to the, hey, Austin Simmons is QB1.

I'm like, oh, my God, blow me over with the feather.

Again, it's like same deal with Kevin Coleman for Missouri last season.

He was a very productive player for Mizzou last season in a passing game that was obviously lacking.

Wasn't his fault.

The point is like, yeah, we saw it at Mississippi State.

Of course, he was going to be good.

I feel the exact same way about Kaden Lee.

Now, where there are more, there are more questions with Austin Simmons.

The good news is those guys are really good friends.

I actually had Austin on my show a couple months ago or so.

I know that those two are really good friends.

And so they have good chemistry already.

So Kaden Lee, a guy who has proven his metal in the southeastern conference already.

The fact that he has obvious chemistry with Simmons already.

I mean, that's, that's a big deal for Missouri.

It really is, especially your slot receiver.

That's, that's a guy almost every quarterback is going to rely upon.

It's almost your safety blanket these days.

Almost even more so, especially in the Missouri offense.

Definitely more so than a tight end.

How concerned should we be at the news?

Obviously, they bring in a big, I guess he's going to slot in a right tackle.

Josh Atkins, but the big O T from Arizona State that they figure was a plug-and-play starter.

He's going to stay in a leg injury and drink, saying he's going to miss it.

At least probably the start of the season.

That's worrisome.

It really is.

And like you say, because Austin Simmons is a left hander.

Well, the right tackle spot is the is the blind side.

I tend to think these days really the left tackle and the right tackle are about equal.

I really do.

I just think because defenses are smart enough that if you have a weak player on either side,

they know how to attack it.

But regardless, if you're going to lean one way, you'd rather have the strength at the right tackle

with that left hand and quarterback.

So regardless, it's a concern.

It really is.

He was somebody Missouri was counting on.

But you know what?

Missouri has done pretty well in terms of, hey, portal offensive lineman.

But yeah, that's a real, real concern.

That was a bummer to hear out of spring.

The good news is for the offense.

You get not one, but two stud running backs back in a mod hearty and end Jamal Roberts.

And two big pieces.

I mean, it's, you know, I'm on hearty really just took the SEC by storm ever since he stepped foot there on campus.

But I got to think you feel good about getting those two guys back with all the other new pieces there on offense.

I of course, I agree with you.

I think that's not only do I think that of course that getting Roberts and hearty, especially back is going to help Austin Simmons.

But here's another thing I'm thinking about with again, the increased stature of Austin Simmons can Missouri go under center more.

I think they can.

I really do.

I think that's a difference.

And maybe that helps a mod hearty.

And more importantly, maybe that helps the Missouri play action game.

Everybody who follows football statistics knows that, especially when it's first and 10, second and five, you know, favorable type of down in distance where the defense doesn't really know what's coming.

Play action is almost a cheat code at this point.

So I think Missouri can maybe do a little bit more under center stuff, especially with the threat of hearty and Roberts.

So look at the defense new pieces there, particularly in linebacker and really in the secondary where they needed some help.

But any any pieces there on the defense that kind of excite you as we look at the 2026.

Well, that's a good question because Missouri has so many pieces to replace defensively.

They'll just say woodyard, Robert Woodyard, right?

Robert Woodyard from Auburn, the linebacker, Robert Woodyard, Jr. To me, Missouri had an incredible transfer at linebacker.

I mean, I think that was one of the reasons in Josiah Trotter and just to be able to replace him with a guy who made, I think what 13, 14 tackles in the Missouri game last season against the Tigers.

I think the Tigers know exactly what they're getting in Robert Woodyard, Jr. And he along with Nick Rodriguez, a guy who was second string for most of last season.

It really came on at the end of the last season. I think Missouri will be absolutely fine at those two off ball linebacker spots.

There's two things to about the secondary additions, like Chris Graves who played this and I mean, you know, again, it was always, they named him as a starter, too.

It was him and Austin Simmons. They were basically, hey, they're actually going to start.

Though Drinkwoods was like, well, we don't really name starters in the spring.

Those were the two exceptions there. And we can just assume Kaden Lee and other Ole Miss guys. Well, yeah, Missouri always seems to have good DBs.

Ever since they're expended, they've had that.

Last thing, John, what do you make of kind of how the schedule sets up? You open with Arkansas Pine Bluff.

We too on the road for Kansas, which is a rivalry game and will not be easy.

Sure. But then you get Troy, then you're at Mississippi State home for Florida, start SEC play.

I mean, I look at this and say, yeah, I mean, you know, it's the SEC. It's always a challenging schedule.

But that's about as good as a soft landing of a starting five as you can have compared to other SEC programs.

Yeah, just the first eight in general, I think landed about as well as it could have for Missouri and considering, hey, Austin Simmons, a new starter.

If we could just get, if we could just get to six and two there, that kind of thing because that the last four is brutal for Missouri.

You've got Georgia, Texas, Kentucky at home. I'm forgetting the fourth one off my head Oklahoma. Thank you.

So the sooners at home as well get another playoff team there, three out of the last four.

I guess Texas was right on the cuss, but the point is a playoff caliber team there.

Most people would probably anticipate the long horns will be in the playoff with arch coming back this year.

So a brutal finish the last third of for Missouri. But yeah, I agree with you, especially compared to how you look at 20 seconds.

You look at 27, 28 and 29. We can already look at those schedules.

Well, Missouri gets the five at home for on the road this season set up number one.

That does help. I think it does set up kind of nicely for Missouri this season relatively speaking.

Like I've said a million times. There's no such thing as an easy SEC schedule.

But I will say this compared to 24 and 25. This is going to be a tougher schedule, but almost everybody in the conference can probably say that this year.

Yeah, and then October 17th game is just going to be while going to Oxford with Austin Simmons who Ole Miss fans seem to like the harbor any resentment.

It's like, look, we got to turn to that and he turned up to be a gym.

Well, take your point. I got a ton of feedback as soon as Austin transferred and weeks after even just it was nothing but love from Ole Miss fans.

It was a kickoff and he had people from down in Oxford in the surrounding areas who were going, hey, you got a great one in Austin Simmons, we love the kids.

So I mean, really no negative comments and just a ton of positive comments, which if you're familiar with social media, Chris, not always the case, especially when it's when it's not really.

I wasn't asking for it either. It was completely unsolicited. So I definitely noted that for sure.

Well, wait until this has a loss or two and and as you come to town, they're going to be the hell with Austin Simmons.

What is that? So that's right. I hope that happens, genuine light.

Yeah, it's going to be fun to see. Of course, John Miller, he's got you covered every day with everything locked on Mizzou.

John, I appreciate the time, man. Thank you, Chris.

Hey, this episode is sponsored by Supplyhouse. You wouldn't show up on game day without a plan and you wouldn't show up to a job without the right parks.

And that's why putting Supplyhouse in your starting lineup is always the right call. Here are the stats, 300,000 plumbing, HVAC and electrical products, 500 tried and true brands.

And 90% of the country is in the one to two day delivery zone. If you need a last minute coupling, a compressor, a press tool.

They have got it and they will get it to you quickly. They are clutch. If you are a pro in the trades, you can join the MVP of reward programs and become a trade master pros get exclusive members only pricing priority shipping industry leading customer service.

And it's all absolutely free. Just visit supplyhouse.com slash TM to learn more about becoming a trade master. Use our promo code s h five college for 5% off your first order. It's over at supplyhouse.com promo code s h five college supply house real people real service.

Hey, what if sports were traded like markets. Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robinhood prediction markets. It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live all game long.

Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter. Robinhood prediction markets changes the game. It's people moving the action. So momentum shifts. You can move with it. I always knew the game, but never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge.

Now I can actually take part live in a market powered by people. You're no longer just a spectator play by play. You decide trade every play with Robinhood. Now available across the US download the Robinhood app now to begin futures and clear swaps trading involves significant risk. It's not appropriate for everyone event contracts are offered by Robinhood derivatives LLC registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.

Thank you guys for making us your first listen of the day as we roll along here just some news to pass along Alabama getting ready for their match up today. Obviously in the absence of in Holloway they'll be taking on Hofstra.

We're going to play a little slower. We play the way we play. We're not changing the way we play based on who we have or don't have. But several SEC teams getting wins on day one of the tournament. We start with Vanderbilt who took down McNeese 78 to 68 Tyler Tanner leading the way 26 points.

With seven rebounds and five assists. He had a fantastic day. Congrats to Vanderbilt there moving on. Next it was Arkansas demolishing Hawaii 97 to 78 taking care of business there. John Calipari's career Calipari struggle to win round one games last year as a Kentucky not having any trouble at Arkansas last year and this year winning first round games.

I'm serious a cuff with 24 points in that one to go with seven assists. So good for him. And then the nightcap man we had two exciting ones. Well one one they got exciting.

A&M disposed of St Mary's. I mean they they were beating them from the get go and ended up beating them 63 to 50 as Rashan agey finished with 22 points nine rebounds. He was a force.

And then Texas how about Texas they were in the playing game. They were a bubble team. They beat NC State the other night. They take down BYU 79 to 71.

So 6C BYU goes down and Sean Miller's longhorns are moving on now. Well disclosure as of this recording we Georgia is still playing so St. Louis. So we'll hope they can go forward the clean SEC sweep in day one. But regardless.

As we record this 4-0 for the SEC quite a day. Arkansas Vanderbilt Texas and Texas A&M all moving on. Again Vandy and Arkansas were higher seeds with Texas and A&M both winning as a 10 seed and 11 seed respectively.

Very good start to the tournament for the SEC.

Well come back on Monday we'll recap all the action on who punches their ticket to the sweet 16 and we'll be heading into the second weekend of college.

It's action across the SEC it's going to be a lot of fun to discuss and recap that is going to do for this edition locked on SEC.

Thank you guys for making us your first listen every day. If you never miss an episode or a minor the every day or club is built for you.

Get locked on SEC at free plus members only discord access and more head to locked on SEC dot super cast dot com and remember to use that code March to get your first month free to try it out locked on SEC dot super cast dot com.

But for those of you on video, we'll sing you the first ever 24 seven national locked on podcast network YouTube channel and audio make sure you make your second listen locked on college football.

I'm Chris Cordy. It's been locked on SEC. Have a great day everybody will talk to you guys tomorrow.

Introducing the all new Mazda CX 5 featuring more connection. Hey Google, where's the nearest police class? Safety that has your back.

More discovery on the scenic routes. More passion in the details and more control in changing weather.

The all new Mazda CX 5 more to move every side of you see it in five films at Mazda USA dot com slash five sides Google is a trademark of Google LLC sequences shortened and simulated.