BOOST: Missouri Football Turns the Corner — Drinkwitz’s Moves Make Tigers a 2025 SEC Threat
In what can only be described as a transformational period for Missouri football, head coach Eli Drinkwitz has positioned the Tigers as a legitimate threat in the Southeastern Conference for the 2025 season. Once mired in inconsistency and mediocrity, Missouri has surged forward thanks to a series of calculated moves, shrewd recruiting, and a rapidly evolving team culture that has brought national attention back to Columbia.
The 2024 season concluded with Missouri finishing 10-3, capping off the year with a resounding bowl win and a Top 15 national ranking. The Tigers’ rise wasn’t an overnight phenomenon, but rather the result of Drinkwitz’s methodical rebuilding approach since taking over in 2020. After a few years of turbulence and growing pains, his strategy is finally bearing fruit.
Key to the Tigers’ emergence has been their aggressive use of the transfer portal, blending experience with young talent. Drinkwitz and his staff secured critical additions on both sides of the ball during the offseason, including a veteran SEC quarterback transfer and two All-Conference-caliber defensive backs. These moves have addressed glaring weaknesses and added instant leadership to a program with rising expectations.
Recruiting has also reached new heights. Missouri’s 2025 class is currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally, a first for the program in over a decade. Drinkwitz has managed to keep elite in-state prospects home while also making inroads into talent-rich states like Texas and Florida. Four-star athletes who previously overlooked Missouri are now signing on, attracted by a rejuvenated program with a clear vision.
Another major shift has occurred in the team’s identity. Long labeled as a finesse team, the Tigers have adopted a tougher, more physical style of play. A revamped strength and conditioning program and a newly installed defensive coordinator have contributed to a unit that plays with more edge and discipline.
Perhaps most importantly, there’s a renewed belief around the program. Fan engagement is at an all-time high, ticket sales are surging, and the team’s spring game drew record attendance. With a more favorable SEC schedule in 2025 and Georgia, Alabama, and LSU facing their own roster transitions, the window for Missouri to make a serious run is wide open.
Eli Drinkwitz’s calculated risks and long-term planning are now translating into wins, respect, and momentum. As the Tigers prepare for the 2025 campaign, they are no longer dark horses — they are contenders. Missouri football, once on the margins of the SEC elite, is stepping boldly into the spotlight.