Sam Horn went down on his first play, a designed run that left him on the turf clutching his right leg, dampening Missouri’s hopes for the 2025 campaign. Fans realized their quarterback battle had ended with an injury rather than a decision, and the silence that swept through Memorial Stadium was eerily reminiscent of the collective pause that follows an unexpected storm.
Previously regarded as one of Missouri’s most valuable recruits, Horn had already suffered a season-ending Tommy John surgery. Now, as he got back, destiny stepped in once more. This setback was especially painful for him because of his dual-sport story, as a Los Angeles Dodgers MLB draft pick with almost half a million dollars in baseball waiting for him. It couldn’t have come at a more cruel time, right before the Border War rivalry with Kansas.
Eli Drinkwitz, the coach, delivered a very clear message to the media: “You cannot control injuries, and you cannot fear them.” His remarks, which were incredibly successful in calming a shaky program, also made the harsh fact that Beau Pribula was now the starter clear. Pribula was extremely effective against Central Arkansas, rushing for two more touchdowns and completing 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards. However, defeating a lower-tier opponent is very different from playing Kansas with the entire country watching the rivalry, as history frequently demonstrates.
Table: Sam Horn – Missouri Quarterback Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Sam Horn |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Team | Missouri Tigers |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (approx.) |
| Weight | 215 lbs (approx.) |
| Hometown | Lawrenceville, Georgia |
| High School | Collins Hill High School |
| College | University of Missouri |
| Sports Background | Dual-sport athlete: Football QB and Baseball Pitcher |
| MLB Draft | Selected in 17th round, 2024 MLB Draft by Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Signing Bonus | Nearly $500,000 with Dodgers |
| Injury Status | Right leg injury, out indefinitely (August 2025) |
| Link | ESPN Report |
Horn was not the last bad thing that happened to Missouri. The Tigers had to rearrange special teams duties after kicker Blake Craig tore his ACL in the same game. Missouri’s margin for error was significantly diminished by losing both a quarterback and a kicker in one week, which put the depth of a roster that was already treading water to the test.
Horn’s predicament makes one think of other athletes who play two sports and are torn between injury and promise. Prior to selecting the NFL, Kyler Murray weighed his MLB aspirations. The ultimate two-sport legend, Bo Jackson, had his football career cut short due to a hip injury. Today, Horn finds himself at a remarkably similar fork in the road. The Dodgers selected him in the draft with the intention of developing him into a future pitcher because of his fastball, which once reached 98 mph. His baseball career is similarly marred by his leg being immobilized in a brace and his football career being in limbo.
Missouri football fans have shown him a lot of sympathy in recent days, but there are still rumors that he is switching from football to baseball. Timing complicates the decision. Even his career in professional baseball may be severely hampered if his recuperation takes well into 2026.
Horn’s passing has an impact outside of Missouri’s campus. It emphasizes how brittle collegiate athletics can be and how an athlete’s entire life can fall apart in an instant. Financial buffers may be provided by NIL deals and transfer opportunities, but the emotional toll is still there. Horn’s injury is especially novel in that it has reignited the discussion about whether two-sport commitments, despite their extreme versatility, put undue strain on young athletes who are already managing demanding schedules.
Horn’s situation can be understood in the context of Missouri’s quarterback history. Blaine Gabbert’s successful collegiate career cleared the way for his professional career, while Chase Daniel established a legacy that carried him into the NFL. However, Horn’s journey now seems unfinished, as though it might end before its conclusion. His name might be associated with “what-if” figures—those whose talent was evident but whose opportunities were noticeably cut short—should he never play football for Mizzou again.
Matt Zollers, a freshman, has been trusted by Drinkwitz as the backup. Zollers, a Pennsylvania four-star recruit, now takes on responsibility much earlier than anticipated. Although the coach referred to him as the “future” of Missouri football, it would be extremely dangerous to place him in the crucible of the Kansas rivalry. Trevor Lawrence at Clemson is one example of a freshman quarterback who has excelled, but they have also faltered under extreme pressure. Fans of Missouri are preparing for both scenarios.
A dramatic element is added by the Border War itself. This renewal is particularly sensitive because Missouri and Kansas have not faced off since 2011. The stakes are higher for Missouri going into the game without Horn. Rivals thrive on stories, and these days, the plot revolves around survival and resiliency rather than bragging rights.
The social theme of how young athletes deal with uncertainty is further supported by Horn’s absence. Given the increased focus on athlete health—from the NFL’s concussion policies to the NBA’s load management controversy—Horn’s predicament highlights the uncertain price of striving for excellence. Fans are reminded by his leg injury that even the most effective programs cannot protect athletes from the unpredictability of fate.
In the end, Horn’s Missouri career might never live up to the high expectations that surrounded his 2022 arrival. However, he has remained remarkably resilient, recovering from surgery only to encounter yet another challenge. His story now serves as a lesson in perseverance and the fragility of athletic ambition, regardless of whether he makes a comeback. At the same time, Missouri continues to move forward, reorienting its season around Pribula and Zollers and bearing the burden of anticipation into the Border War.
