Missouri struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position in 2015.
Veteran Maty Mauk struggled through his first four starts and faced multiple suspensions, with the latter ending his season in November.
True freshman Drew Lock took over during Mizzou’s fifth game, which resulted in a 24-10 victory over South Carolina. But Lock displayed the growing pains of a first-year player with 1,332 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions on 129-of-263 passing and a 49.0 completion percentage.
Lock’s only other win came six weeks later during a 20-16 upset of Bringham-Young. Otherwise, the freshman went 2-6 in his eight games as a starter. Still, Missouri and its fans expect Lock to return as the team’s starter in 2016.
Lock rated as a 4-star prospect and was the second-highest signee of the Tigers’ 2015 class behind 5-star defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. But aside from his prep hype, Lock is now the most experienced quarterback on Missouri’s roster following Mauk’s dismissal from the team in January. Behind him sits redshirt sophomore Marvin Zanders and junior Jack Lowary, neither of whom have thrown a pass in a college game.
It’s a tall task for a player coming off a disappointing eight-game stretch to start his career, but new Missouri coach Barry Odom is confident in Lock’s development through spring practice. Odom praised the rising sophomore following a strong performance in Missouri’s spring game on April 16, which saw him throw for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-13 passing.
“He efficiently ran the offense and didn’t try to press and do too much, which was exciting for me to see,” Odom told The Kansas City Star. “I’ve said it a number of times, his skill set is off the charts.”
Lock also impressed his teammates, including redshirt freshman wide receiver Richaud Floyd, who he endorsed as the team’s starter according to The Columbia Daily Tribune’s Blake Toppmeyer.
“From that scrimmage, I think he’s the No. 1 guy,” Floyd told . “He’s had a big jump from last year with his reading the defense and the consistency with his throws.”
It’s evident that Lock has made progress during his first spring practice session at Missouri. Obviously, scouts saw enough potential in him to give him a 4-star rating, so last year’s struggles could be chalked up to inexperience and being forced to play too soon.
It also didn’t help that Missouri lost its four leading receivers from the previous season in 2015. But with its young roster developing through early playing time, the Tigers should see improvement in 2016.
Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
However, Lock will need to live up to his 4-star potential. There won’t be any excuses about him being inexperienced after having eight games under his belt. The Tigers won’t have the insurance of a veteran like Mauk playing behind him.
Lock needs to prove that his hype is real and be a solid SEC starting quarterback for Missouri to find success in an open SEC East. Last season was a disappointment, but this is still a team just one year removed from back-to-back division championships that will have several key pieces returning to its defense.
The offense needs to follow suit.
That means Lock will have to display both the maturity and consistency that Mauk lacked through a rollercoaster stint in Columbia. Thus far, his actions and play through the offseason has validated Odom’s choice of making him the team’s starting quarterback.
Lock should continue that success in his second season and lead Missouri’s offense to improvement in 2016.
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