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Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed Thursday that he’s been in touch with Horn and his agent throughout the pre-draft process, leaving no confusion within the team facility over Horn’s availability.

“Nothing has changed,” Drinkwitz said. “Sam and I had conversations, we’ve talked to his agent, nothing’s changed that I’ve heard of. I anticipate Sam’s commitment to our football program and our team.”

Horn was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round of the draft. Because he’s able to throw 98 miles per hour off the mound, he was a top-100 prospect despite having thrown only 15 innings in three seasons due to Tommy John surgery.

In terms of pure upside, Horn probably would’ve been picked earlier. But his agent made clear to MLB teams that Horn intended to play football this fall. The Dodgers, then, knew what they were getting into when they picked Horn.

He has until July 28 — likely the first day of MU’s preseason camp, incidentally — to decide whether or not to sign with the Dodgers. It’s not clear if the franchise would sign Horn and let him play football or if he’ll forego a deal now and hope for better draft position in 2026.

Horn is competing with Penn State transfer Beau Pribula to be the Tigers’ starting quarterback.

“I told him the day he got drafted I was proud of him,” Drinkwitz said, “and I would see him at 6:30 workouts in the morning.”

Young takes spotlight during homecoming

Mizzou defensive end Zion Young hits quarterbacks for a living. He’s part of a deep position group that he says is full of “alpha males.” And just a few minutes into his first of many interviews as a player doing the rounds at the Southeastern Conference’s media days, he was nearly in tears.

Young, one of three players Drinkwitz chose to represent the Tigers, was back in his hometown of Atlanta for the event. He starred at Westlake High School, about 16 miles from where media days were held at the College Football Hall of Fame.

“It was unreal, just being back in my hometown where I played football,” Young said. “Me being an Atlanta native, I just can’t believe I’m here right now. … It feels good, you know what I mean, to represent this team.”

His straightforward, easygoing and energetic personality made him a hit among attending media. Soundbites like “If you were a tiger, would you want to date a cat? … You’d want to date a lion” earned him a round of applause from a collection of TV reporters as he left one media session.

Drinkwitz egged on Young by reminding him of what happened during the player’s 2021 high school signing day. He snubbed Drinkwitz and MU at the last minute to sign with Michigan State.

But after two seasons with the Spartans, Young was in the portal. Drinkwitz set aside any hurt feelings to give the defensive end a call. They made up, though Drinkwitz still finds ways to remind his senior what happened.

“I didn’t make the right decision the first time,” Young said. “But we doubled back, so we here now.”

Giudice grabs right guard spot

Who will start at another of Missouri’s open offensive line positions became clearer Thursday when Drinkwitz said Michigan transfer Dominick Giudice will mostly play right guard this season.

Giudice mostly played center with the Wolverines. Of his 317 snaps last season, 250 came at center, 63 came at right guard and four came at left guard.

Returning starter Connor Tollison, who’s on track to play Week 1 with no limitations, is holding down center, though, so Giudice will bounce one spot over for his starting role. He impressed while filling in for Tollison during spring, so coaches moved him to right guard to get him comfortable working at that spot.

Giudice is likely to have one more year of eligibility to play in 2026, if he submits a waiver that MU expects would be approved, at which point he may switch back to center. For 2025, though, the right guard spot seems to be his.

Four spots along the Tigers’ offensive line are now firmed up heading into fall camp. Wake Forest transfer Keagen Trost won the right tackle job in spring practice. Giudice will play right guard, Tollison will play center. And Cayden Green will reprise his left guard role, now as one of the best in the nation at that position.

Several linemen will then compete for the left tackle job during camp.