Columbia, Mo. — Missouri football finished its 2025 season with its worst record in three seasons and lost a bowl game for the first time in the same period. Change was needed. 

Change was brought — see the 28 new faces the Tigers added in the transfer portal. 

Here's which three of Missouri's additions were the biggest. 

This one was obvious, but Simmons has the potential to be a game-changer for the Tigers in 2026. The quarterback carousel of Beau Pribula and Matt Zollers was arguably Missouri's biggest weakness in 2025, struggling to gain any consistent momentum in SEC play despite tremendous support from one of the nation's best rushing attacks. 

Zollers and Pribula combined for 2,444 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading Missouri to rank No. 13 in the Southeastern Conference in both passing yards and touchdowns. 

Simmons has thrown for 6 touchdowns and five interceptions across his two seasons at Ole Miss. The sophomore has limited experience, but his cannon arm and former four-star ranking helps legitimize his high-potential status and ability to unlock Missouri's offense. 

If Simmons blossoms into a quality SEC quarterback, Missouri's offense could reach new heights. 

Missouri lost its three starting boundary corners to graduation in 2025, leaving a gaping hole as to who will line up against the monster top wideouts of the SEC, of which there's no shortage. 

Missouri replaced most of those lost starters by adding transfers with little-to-no starting experience — a bold move to move away from veteran presence and toward youth at a position in which experience is quite the difference-maker. 

The Tigers minimized that worrisome situation by adding Graves in the transfer portal, who is fresh off a 759-snap season with Ole Miss. He allowed 18 receptions for 283 yards on 35 targets in 2025, and has never allowed a receiving touchdown in his collegiate career. 

Look no further than Graves when identifying Missouri's top corner in 2026. 

How about a third former Rebel to round out the list? Cayden Lee transfers to Missouri to continue a chain of high-usage slot receivers to don the Black and Gold. Luther Burden III starred in his final two seasons with Missouri, then was immediately replaced by Kevin Coleman Jr., who led the team in receptions and yards in 2025. 

Coleman is now headed to the NFL, and Lee is signed with Missouri. Lee formed a close relationship with Simmons during their time at Ole Miss and brings familiarity for the quarterback in a new situation. Lee also helps to keep that slot receiver production — something so vital to Missouri's offense — afloat under new guidance. 

Lee racked up 101 receptions for 1,509 yards and five touchdowns between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He inserts Missouri's wideout room to space the field for star freshman Donovan Olugbode, and the pair can complement each other similar to Olugbode and Coleman in 2025.