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Which quarterbacks are left on the board? 3 options for Missouri football to chase
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- Which quarterbacks are left on the board? 3 options for Missouri football to chase
Mizzou was the runner-up in a two-horse race.
And alternate options are quickly coming off the board.
Missouri football is seeking a quarterback with the potential to start in the 2025 season. The Tigers went after Miller Moss , a USC transfer, but lost out to Louisville in the race for his pledge, as the quarterback announced his commitment to the Cardinals on Saturday.
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That may have cost the Tigers some time and options as the December transfer portal window deadline for entry approaches.
The 20-day winter portal period opened Dec. 8 and runs through Dec. 28. Players from any team can enter the transfer database at any time during that period, but do not have to commit to a new team by the deadline.
More: Missouri football live transfer portal news: Tracking who joins, leaves Mizzou in portal
More: Missouri football addresses area of need, signs linebacker Mikai Gbayor out of portal
Moss is no longer an option — and that's becoming a common sight in the portal among QBs, as players are moving fast.
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Of the 15 best quarterbacks available in the portal, according to the recruiting service On3's industry rankings, eight have already committed to new teams.
Three-year starter Brady Cook is out of eligibility at the end of the season, meaning Missouri will have Sam Horn and Drew Pyne as eligible returners and four-star signee Matt Zollers as a true freshman.
Here are three options for where the Tigers could turn:
Will Missouri football chase Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza ?
If the Tigers are going to get their foot in the door for California transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza, they need to do so quickly.
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Indiana , where the Cal transfer's younger brother, Alberto Mendoza , just completed his freshman campaign as a backup to outgoing Kurtis Rourke , is seemingly in the mix. Georgia and Miami, both of which will lose their starters to the league at the end of this season, set up as possible suitors, too.
Fernando Mendoza, a Miami native who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, has among the best résumés of any quarterback still without a new team.
Nov 23, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium.
He's the second-ranked QB in On3's industry rankings. He led California to its first bowl game in four years as the starter in 2023, and helped the Golden Bears get bowl eligible again this season as he passed for 3,004 yards (273.1 yards per game), 16 touchdowns and six interceptions over 11 games this season. He completed 68.7% of his passes.
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Fernando Mendoza has two remaining years of eligibility. Mizzou should take a swing and see if he'll spend them in Columbia.
More: Missouri football lands 1st transfer portal commitment with highly ranked SEC wide receiver
Maalik Murphy , Duke
Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) prepares to throw the football during the first half of the game against North Carolina Tar Heels at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Time seemingly was running out to get in on the mix for Duke transfer Maalik Murphy, who had visited Auburn early on in the portal window. But, Hugh Freeze's Tigers have now signed Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold at QB, meaning Murphy is likely heading elsewhere
According to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Murphy reportedly was on a visit to Kentucky on Monday, so some hurry-up offense is likely still required if Mizzou wants to get involved.
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Murphy, listed at 6-5, 230, committed to Texas out of high school as a four-star prospect in 2022, but mostly played backup to Quinn Ewers . He transferred to Duke ahead of the 2024 campaign, and led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 season, throwing for 244.4 yards per game, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Mikey Keene , Fresno State
Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene has thrown for more than 2,800 yards in the past two seasons as the Bulldogs' starter. He threw for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024 under unideal circumstances, as Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford resigned shortly before the season began due to health concerns.
Keene, according to a report from 247Sports, is visiting Ole Miss , and has already been on campus with Tulane.
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This isn't the most glamorous option on the board, and Keene isn't the most mobile QB in the world, which would be a stray from part of what made Mizzou successful with Cook under center. But, Keene does have plenty of college football experience, which could be beneficial to a team replacing a three-year starter.
The quarterback began his career with head coach Guz Malzahn — who Eli Drinkwitz has worked with in the past — at UCF in 2021 before transferring west. Keene started 10 games as a rookie, and will have one remaining year of eligibility wherever he lands. He transferred to Fresno State in December 2022, shortly before Missouri hired Kirby Moore from the Bulldogs as its new offensive coordinator.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Three quarterbacks Missouri football should chase in transfer portal
