Missouri working to build around elite QB commit Matt Zollers

Missouri landed a commitment from one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in the country on Thursday when Royersford (Pa.) Spring-Ford On300 passer Matt Zollers announced his pledge to the Tigers, choosing to play for head coach Eli Drinkwitz and his coaching staff over his other finalists in Georgia, Penn State and Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-3.5, 200-pound Zollers is a terrific dual-threat player, a strong-armed, accurate passer with exciting growth potential. He has the traits to be one of the best signal-callers in college football and is tabbed by On3 as the No. 3 quarterback in the class and No. 17 prospect overall.

Building along the offense line

Zollers is also the type of player they can build a great class around. Lewisville (Texas) High five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi certainly took notice.

“I was like if I‘m going to go here I need a quarterback to go with me,” Fasusi said.

Mizzou has already been a top contender for Fasusi as they battle the likes of USC, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia and Oklahoma.

“No. 1 I got to say the relationship with Coach (Brandon) Jones, Coach Drink, I think it’s at an all-time level high,” Fasusi said. “Relationships, that’s what it comes to first. The thing about Coach Jones, I think he’ll develop me that comes with it. I also checked the education part of it. It’s amazing out here. And the brotherhood, that’s something I like about Missouri.”

Drinkwitz and Jones are trying to put together the nation’s best offensive line class and are also on the shortlist for Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star Andrew Babalola.

“What excites me about Mizzou is the rise of the program over the past few years, and all of the momentum,” Babalola said. “What makes them a potential fit for me is my relationship with the coaching staff, and how I fit into their offense.”

Eureka (Mo.) High On300 offensive tackle Jack Lange is another coveted point-of-attack player and the Tigers are battling Michigan and Nebraska among others for him. Mesquite (Texas) Horn On300 offensive tackle Lamont Rogers also has a keen eye on Columbia.

Looking to stack receiver talent

The Missouri coaches are working to add receivers around Zollers as well. The Tigers are in the top two, at the very least for Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North On300 playmaker Isaiah Mozee. Oregon is another top school, Ole Miss is rising and Nebraska in the thick of it as well.

St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers four-star Corey Simms is another high-priority target.

“It excites me that I am being heavily recruited by my home state university,” Simms stated. “It excites me that the Mizzou staff keeps in communication with me and reminds me how much they would like me to be a part of their program. During my most recent visit it was exciting to have a chance to talk with the receivers coach throughout my visit. I enjoyed watching spring practice and becoming more familiar with how things are run. It was exciting for my mother and stepdad to join me in a conversation with Coach Drink. It was nice for us to get questions answered and converse with the head coach.

“Mizzou is priority to me because they were the first school to give me an offer,” Simms continued. “They have maintained consistency and have always made me feel prioritized. Mizzou is priority to me because they have expressed and showed me how I can play a huge role in the program. Mizzou has several key players who will not return after this upcoming season. Which is why I would be able to come in, work hard, and be ready!”

Things are picking up fast with Cocoa (Fla.) High On300 receiver Jayvan Boggs, and he and Zollers have also clicked fast.

“I love Mizzou coaching staff, the area and the message they give to me on what I would do when I get there!” Boggs said. He had a monster junior season turning 93 receptions into 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to a state championship. “And they always preach to me the big impact I would have as a freshman if I chose Mizzou and that’s huge for me.”

Missouri receivers coach Jacob Peeler has one of the best reputations in the country, coaching AJ Brown, DK Metcalf and now Luther Burden.

“Coach Peeler has a great history of developing players,” Simms said. “He is a great coach who I would love to learn and grow from. Coach Peeler expressed to me how they would use me on the field. I look forward to my OV with Mizzou!”

Germantown (Tenn.) High running back/playmaker Jamarion Morrow is the running back Drinkwitz and his staff would like to have jump in with this group. Coming off an 11-2 season, a Top10 finish and Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State, the Tigers program has a lot of momentum this spring and Zollers was the first of what Drinkwitz is hoping will be several massive recruiting wins in the 2025 cycle.

“What excites me about the Tigers and how excited they are about me and how I would be a big fit to their program,” Morrow said. “I’ve been getting recruited by Coach Peeler since I was a young pup and the connection I’ve built with Coach Luper is amazing!”