Drinkwitz calls state of college sports ‘clownshow’

“The season’s kicked off (and) we do not know what the rules are for eligibility,” Drinkwitz said in a press conference Saturday. “That's embarrassing, man. This is the second most watched sport in the United States, and for us to be operating like this is a complete clown show. It's disappointing.”

Amidst the chaos, Drinkwitz reaffirmed his support for the Protect College Sports Act, a bill that will be up for a vote in the Senate in September.

The bill would aim to establish a national standard with significant rule changes on transfers, eligibility and conference movement.

The bill didn’t gain the crucial support it needed from the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten until July 31, just over a week before the Senate’s recess. The bill’s supporters failed to get a vote on the bill before the recess began Aug. 8.

Drinkwitz believes the delay in support from the two biggest conferences played a significant role in the stalling of the vote.

“We spent all summer politicking (the Protect College Sports Act), and then at the last moment we all try to get behind it,” Drinkwitz said. “That's not how Washington D.C. works. We've been trying to do it for six years, and it took a while to even get on board, and now you see the results.”

Since the vote stalled, the balloon of eligibility lawsuits against the NCAA has continued to expanded.

A judge in Louisiana granted a temporary restraining order to 16 players who had signed NFL contracts this offseason to return to college football to align with the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model. This caused the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 to all put out rules regarding the return of former professionals, but even those rules are being challenged in court.

“If that bill had passed, this stuff is not happening right now because there's a framework for what the future of college athletics looks like,” Drinkwitz said.

Missouri benefited from an eligibility lawsuit in July, with defensive tackle Sterling Webb returning to the team after being granted a temporary restraining order. Drinkwitz reiterated that the Tigers would look to add players without violating any rules.

“I'm going to focus on my team,” Drinkwitz said. “If I'm told that I can add players, then I'll look to add players. I'm going to do whatever I'm supposed to do to help the University of Missouri win. … So whatever the rules are, we'll try to play by those rules.”

New stadium capacity revealed

Memorial Stadium’s capacity for the 2026 season will be set at 63,609, according to game notes issued by the team.

Before the reconstruction of the north end zone, the stadium’s capacity was set at 62,601. Mizzou Athletics initially estimated that the construction would bring the capacity to about 65,000, though a dramatic increase in capacity was never a top goal for the $250 million project.

Instead, most of the seating changes came in the form of new premium seating options.

“It is not intended to be a significant capacity growth,” director of athletics Laird Veatch said in a press conference in August 2025. “That was not the plan from the beginning. And I think for a lot of reasons, that's the smart and right way to look at expansion these days and what you're seeing across the country.”

MU names six team captains

Drinkwitz revealed the team captains, who all took turns speaking to the media. The six players who will wear the “C” on their jerseys are left tackle Cayden Green, center Dominick Giudice, running back Jamal Roberts, safety Santana Banner, linebacker Nick Rodriguez and kicker Blake Craig.

Green, Giudice and Rodriguez were decided by the staff, while the others were voted for by the team.

“Being named the captain is definitely one of the greatest honors of my lifetime,” Giudice said. “It just shows how the team and the coaches see me. (I’m) looking to take on that role as we go throughout the season, week by week, day by day and just lead other guys along as best as I (can).”

The team vote meant a lot for Craig after facing a plethora of adversity. A torn ACL in the season opener sidelined him for the entire year, but that didn’t shake anyone’s confidence in him.

“It's a blessing and an honor that my teammates think so highly of me,” Craig said. “I've worked my butt off to get back, and I think that they've recognized that. I just want to keep proving to them every day that I'm still that guy, and we're gonna have a great season.”

Drinkwitz announced the captains during a team walkthrough in Jefferson City. The individuals chosen acknowledged feeling grateful, but Rodriguez emphasised the importance of keeping the team first.

“We all try to lead and go to our common goal together,” Rodriguez said. “At the end of the day, we gotta do stuff together in order to get stuff done.”

Mizzou's week 1 depth chart brings surprises

Missouri’s game notes included a depth chart that highlighted the apparent winners of the preseason roster battles.

One of the most notable inclusions was Florida transfer Naeshaun Montgomery, who is listed as one of the starting X receivers. He split that title with Cincinnati transfer Caleb Goodie.

Montgomery was a composite four-star prospect out of high school, but didn’t have many opportunities to show off that skill set in his one season with the Gators. He’s worked himself into a role with the Tigers.

“Naeshaun’s been one of our most improved players from spring to now,” Drinkwitz said. “Just the consistency of the amount of work that he's put in, his commitment to the team. … He's made some unbelievable catches.”

The other interesting note on the offense is FCS transfer Colin Sorensen being listed as the backup center. Sorensen started at left tackle at Charleston Southern.

If Missouri needed someone to fill in for Giudice, the Tigers would likely play musical chairs on the offensive line, possibly moving Tristan Wilson over from the left guard spot. Wilson was the backup center in 2025 and the Tigers have good guard depth.

On defense, it appears that MU will roll out a rotational trio of starters: Chris Graves Jr., Sione Laulea and Jahlil Florence.

On special teams, sophomore wide receiver DaMarion Fowlkes is listed as both the starting kick and punt returner. In high school, the four-star prospect was a standout returner and also competed in track.

Mizzou sells out opener for third consecutive season

Mizzou’s opening matchup against the Golden Lions is officially sold out, according to Drinkwitz. The report was later confirmed by Mizzou Athletics on social media.  This marks the third year in a row that the Tigers have sold out the opener.

“Very appreciative of the fans,” he said. “A generous booster just purchased the last remaining (80 tickets).”

Memorial Stadium will open its gates to a packed house of fans eager to witness the Tigers begin their season. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday on Faurot Field. The game is available to watch on SEC Network.