Missouri's participation in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl Dec. 27 may not have many implications on the subjectively viewed success meter of the 2025 season, but there's certainly reasons to watch the game closely anyways. 

"There's valuable reps going on right now for our younger players," Head coach Eli Drinkwitz said.  

Some of these young players could put on performances that are hints of whats to come in the 2026 seasons in newly increased roles. 

Take Missouri's 2024 Music City Bowl for example: wide receivers Luther Burden III and Mookie Cooper didn't partake in the festivities, leaving then-sophomore Marquis Johnson to step up in a newfound starting role. He made the most of the opportunity, catching a career-high seven balls for 122 yards and a touchdown. 

That spring-boarded Johnson into the spotlight for the 2025 season, where many hoped he would continue his success as an elite deep threat. While he may not have performed at an elite level, Johnson was a serviceable starter for the first 2/3 of Missouri's season. 

Which Tigers have the best opportunity to become this year's Johnson? 

Terry played just 18 snaps in his 2025 true freshman seasons season, all of which came against FCS and G5 opponents. His lone catch was for nine yards against Louisiana. 

There would have been little reason to think he would have a chance at making an impact in the Gator Bowl, until three receivers ahead of him in the depth chart entered the transfer portal, and will no longer be playing. James Madison II, Josh Manning and — ironically — Johnson all were reported with intentions to transfer, leaving a gaping hole at the wideout position. 

Although Terry didn't see the field much in 2025, he was a major contributor in his high school days, logging 108 receptions for 1,956 yards and 26 touchdowns across his final three seasons at Ironton High School. 

The shifty wideout could make an impact with a projected rise in the depth chart Saturday evening. 

Fowlkes, a fellow true freshman wideout, spent the majority of his playing time as a return man. He flashed ability with the ball in his hands, averaging over 26 yards per kickoff return and over nine yards per punt return. 

He even got a handoff which he took for five yards against Mississippi State. Fowlkes' versatility as a post-catch playmaker could garner him some use should Missouri opt to get flashy in its play-calling following the departure of Kirby Moore.

He too will have the opportunity to slide up the wideout depth chart in wake of the transfers, and could turn some heads if he gets the chance. 

Zollers' three games as Missouri's primary signal-caller couldn't have been more different. It began with a second-half surprise interjection against Vanderbilt, which came down to a hail mary inches away from the goal line. Second was a 38-17 blowout loss at the hands of Texas A&M, immediately followed by a 49-point explosion against Mississippi State. It's pretty hard to have a more chaotic three-game stint than Zollers did in his freshman season.

Now, he'll go into Missouri's bowl game with weeks of notice as being the starter quarterback, and plenty of preparation time for a Virginia defense that ranked No. 21 in the nation in yards allowed per game. 

Zollers looked — and reasonably so — like a true freshman in his first three games: frantic movements in the pocket and quick shots downfield were frequent sights to see. Perhaps with a new play-caller and newfound sense of preparation time, he could provide his case to be Missouri's starter next season, shutting down clamor for a major transfer portal addition.