Mizzou QB Beau Pribula Sees Encouraging Update on SEC Availability Report

Missouri's original starting quarterback saw a change on the mandated injury report just days out before facing Mississippi State.

Aug 28, 2025; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) cocks the ball back to find a receiver in a matchup against the Central Arkansas Bears in Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. | Cal Tobias/MissouriOnSi

The Missouri Tigers received an encouraging update on quarterback Beau Pribula on Wednesday's SEC availability report. After being listed as out in Week 11, Pribula's status has shifted to doubtful.

Following an ankle injury against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Oct. 25, Pribula was deemed likely to miss the rest of the regular season, with a small chance of returning. He's been on the sidelines since then for the Tigers, but this was the first change in his potential availability moving forward.

The injury to Pribula forced freshman quarterback Matt Zollers into the starting role. He started the first game of his career in Week 11 against the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies in a showing that did not go particularly well for any of the Tigers. Zollers was never truly comfortable and could never string together consistent passing plays.

“For us, it's about getting comfortable earlier in the game and creating some easier opportunities for him to get into a rhythm," head coach Eli Drinkwitz said on Tuesday. "We never really got him into the rhythm offensively, and so we've got to do a better job of creating some offensive rhythm and not putting him in situations where he feels the entire pressure to play."

Pribula's listing as doubtful came as a surprise, as did senior defensive end Langden Kitchen's ruling as out. Kitchen has proven to be a reliable run defender and depth option for the Tigers on the outside, but he will not get to play against the Bulldogs.

In the absence of Kitchen, expect guys like Darris Smith and Nate Johnson to potentially step up, with room for freshmen Daeden Hopkins and Javion Hilson to potentially contribute.

Tight end Brett Norfleet missed last week's matchup against the Aggies as well, but will be back aganst Mississippi State. He was originally listed as questionable on the availability report earlier in the week before being removed Friday.

Here are Wednesday's listings for the SEC availability report for both Missouri and Mississippi State ahead of the Tigers' matchup on Saturday. Both teams will have their final report posted 90 minutes before kickoff at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday on the SEC Network.

Missouri Availability Report - Friday

QB Sam Horn — OUT (Tibia, season)
K Blake Craig — OUT (ACL, season)
EDGE Langden Kitchen — OUT (TBD)
QB Beau Pribula — DOUBTFUL (Ankle, TBD)
TE Brett Norfleet — ACTIVE

Mississippi State Availability Report - Friday

S Isaac Smith — OUT
CB Jett Jefferson — OUT
DL Will Whitson — OUT
OL Brennan Smith — OUT
OL Blake Steen — OUT
QB Blake Shapen — ACTIVE
OL Albert Reese IV — ACTIVE