Let me tell you something real quick—Eli Drinkwitz might be eating good right now, but there’s a lil storm brewing in Columbia. Eli Drinkwitz has been on some kinda demon run—back-to-back banger seasons, 11-2 in ’23 and 10-3 in ’24—but sometimes when life’s going too smooth, the universe throws you a curveball just to keep you humble. And right when things looked all cozy, boom—Dealin’ Eli snatches up a shiny new 4-star QB from the 2026 class. But hold up, it ain’t all sunshine and spring games. There’s a warning label on this one. A big one.
On April 18th, Missouri reeled in a commitment from four-star quarterback Gavin Sidwar out of La Salle High School. Kid’s got numbers that jump—2,747 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a Catholic League title under his belt. Man even torched St. Joseph’s Prep in a wild 4OT thriller. Offers from Penn State, UCLA, Wake, and more? Sidwar had his pick. Originally pledged to Rutgers, he saw the light, circled back, visited Columbia, and boom—locked in with the Tigers. That’s commitment number three for Mizzou’s 2026 class, and Drinkwitz had to be grinning ear-to-ear.
Sidwar’s 6-foot-3, got decent zip on the ball, and a highlight reel that’s got everything from slants to flea-flickers. But don’t get it twisted—this ain’t your next Cam Newton. On April 19th, John Miller, a Mizzou insider, hopped onto his Locked on Mizzou podcast and gave big time props to Gavin Sidwar: “His physical attributes, unlike Zoller’s, I don’t think are going to blow you off the page. But his arm is definitely good enough. The arm — and arm strength, really — I think is kind of like leaping ability in basketball. Obviously, you want it — all things being equal, it’s great to have incredible leaping ability.” John Miller couldn’t stop glazing, he doubled down on his play-style: ” He’s just chucking that thing all across the field, getting it out of his hands quickly for the most part, making good reads, and throwing a decent amount of different route combinations for a high school baller, I would say. And even got a flea-flicker on film during his 10-minute Hudl highlight video. You know Eli Drinkwitz has got to be excited about that.”
Still, Miller didn’t let the hype ride too high. He pumped the brakes with a gut check. “I don’t want to go overboard one way or the other. I’ve learned my lesson over the years on that with high school quarterbacks and their highlights. But this is a solid pickup for Missouri. The question is, of course, with every high school quarterback you sign these days: will he stick around in 2027, for example, when [Beau] Pribula will be gone? Can he compete for the starting job? Because if the answer to that question is no, I think the reality is any quarterback is probably going to be moving on from the Missouri roster at that point.” he warned.
Mizzou’s QB room is loaded, and Sidwar’s arrival doesn’t guarantee anything. If he can’t compete for that job in 2027 when Beau Pribula bounces, best believe someone’s transferring out. That’s just how the game goes these days. Loyalty? Ain’t what it used to be in college football. This is why Sidwar’s arrival feels like a double-edged sword. He’s talented, no doubt, but that Mizzou QB room is hotter than a sauna in July. Matt Zollers, the top QB in the state, is already on campus. Sure, he’s coming off ankle surgery, but once he’s healthy? That’s a whole different animal. So now you got two blue-chippers in the mix, both thinking they’re next. Someone’s ego gonna get bruised. And when it does? The portal’s just one DM away.
And speaking of the portal—boy oh boy—Eli Drinkwitz just struck straight gold.
Eli Drinkwitz Hit The Jackpot in the Transfer Portal
Just when you thought the man couldn’t win any harder, Mizzou snags wide receiver Xavier Loyd outta Illinois State. This ain’t some warm-body addition either. This dude cooked in 2023—66 catches, 912 yards, 6 touchdowns. Xavier Loyd was eating DBs alive in the Missouri Valley and even popped off for two 100+ yard games. And the kicker? He’s a hometown kid from Blue Springs.
Started his career at Kansas State, took the long road through Illinois State, and now? Back in SEC country, ready to cash out in Eli’s offense. Loyd had Power 5 schools calling after that season he just had, but he chose Mizzou. You know that says something. The Tigers WR room was already spicy with Kevin Coleman Jr., Marquis Johnson, and Josh Manning—and now you throw Loyd in the pot? That’s gumbo.
And this ain’t no hype job either. The man balled out in big moments. First round of the FCS Championship? Six grabs, 59 yards, a tuddy. Consistent hands, crisp routes, and some serious YAC juice. With one year of eligibility, he’s basically a rental with game-changing upside. And he chose Eli’s crew over plenty of big-name options.
What’s wild is how this portal game flipped. Just a few years ago, Drinkwitz was building from scratch, trying to convince kids to stay. Now? Mizzou is the move. Back-to-back top 15 finishes, real momentum, and NFL talent walking out the door. The Tigers ain’t no Cinderella—this is a legit SEC bully now. And kids like Loyd? They’re buying in.
The combo of Sidwar and Loyd paints a clear picture: Mizzou ain’t messin’ around. Drinkwitz is stacking chips in every phase—future, present, portal. But there’s a tension brewing too. The quarterback room is crowded. The competition is fierce. If Sidwar can’t hold his own, he might bounce before he even unpacks. That’s the gamble now—high-stakes recruiting mixed with the chaos of NIL and the portal shuffle.
So yeah, Drinkwitz is flying high—but he better keep that seatbelt fastened. The ride’s just gettin’ started. Look, Missouri football’s cooking with serious heat right now. A four-star QB in the bag, a big-time transfer WR ready to go, and momentum that ain’t slowing down. But as sweet as it all looks on the surface, Drinkwitz is stepping into the most unpredictable part of this new college football world. Talent’s flowing in, sure—but it can flow right back out too. Gavin Sidwar might be the future—or he might just be a pit stop. Either way, Mizzou’s stock is rising, and Coach Drink’s playin’ chess while most of these programs still fidgeting with the pieces. Strap in, Columbia—it’s about to get real interesting.
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