Eli Drinkwitz ‘excited’ for return of defensive tackle Sterling Webb amidst unique changes

“Very excited to welcome Sterling Webb back to our football team and support him in his journey and court case,” Drinkwitz told reporters Sunday. “Obviously, this is a unique time and area in college football, and Sterling is doing what he believes is in his best interest, and we always are going to support our student-athletes.”

Webb gaining an additional season of eligibility was one thing, but getting him ready for the season is another. Webb’s last true action on a football field was during rookie minicamp with the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.

It might take some time for Webb to get back into true football shape. An adjustment also may be in order for the guys currently in the defensive tackle room, who more than likely were not expecting Webb to return for the 2026 season.

“It's going to be important to get him back slowly, acclimated to our program, and it's going to be important for our team to welcome him back, seeing him as a part of our success and not allowing his return to affect us in a negative way,” Drinkwitz said.

Webb played 26 games for the Tigers over the last two seasons, logging 38 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. That’s valuable experience that doesn’t just grow on trees, making it a no-brainer when it came to him coming back.

“It was just an opportunity to bring back, obviously, a guy that was a quality player for us,” defensive tackles coach David Blackwell said. “He's from St. Louis. He knows how we do things. He obviously has been in the room with me for two years. It was kind of a no-brainer when the opportunity arose.”

Bringing Webb back does have an impact on the depth chart and players like Jason Dowell, Elias Williams and Sam Williams who may see less playing time because of it. Conversations were had, whether it was by Blackwell, Drinkwitz or other defensive coaches, when it came to Webb’s return and implications of that decision.

“I think we were open with them about it when it first started happening, when the lawsuit was filed, this is what has happened and all that, and we'll see what it goes from here,” Blackwell said. “Again, those guys are competitive. It's one of the things Coach Drink talks about always compete. It's a little bit of an unusual situation. But, honestly, through the room, I have not had a sense of any of that (and) I think the guys are excited he's back.”

According to senior defensive tackle Marquis Gracial, the changes aren’t fazing the players. Webb is a welcome addition to the position room, but it’ll be business as usual for Gracial and others.

“I feel like it's going to all work out the way it needs to,” Gracial said Sunday. “Just keep working with the coaches and pushing each other in practice. I think it's all going to take care of itself.”

Drinkwitz shares his thoughts on the 5-in-5 ruling

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney made waves after she deemed all members of the 2022 recruiting class eligible for the spring. She clarified that, despite those players being eligible because of her ruling, transfer, revenue sharing and roster cap rules are not a part of her initial decision.

Drinkwitz, like many across the country, is still confused about what’s happening in relation to Sweeney’s ruling on Friday. He is, however, used to the chaos that has ensued since he arrived in Columbia.

“As far as the Friday night ruling on the court case in Colorado and what that means for the University of Missouri and future player acquisitions, I'm going to tell you the same thing that I think and told our staff,” Drinkwitz said. “I have no idea what's going on, and this is my seventh year at the University of Missouri, and in seven years we have had complete chaos from year to year.”

With that, if Drinkwitz and his staff are able to add players in the transfer portal this late in the game because of the ruling, it’s something they will look into. As long as the rules permit it, which they do as of now, it’s a path the Tigers could explore.

“This is something that we have gotten used to, where there is a lack of understanding and a lack of organization, or I guess rules,” Drinkwitz said. “So we will do the very best that we can for the University of Missouri to operate within the structure that they've given us, and if that means that we can add somebody at this late date, we will explore every avenue possible to help the University of Missouri football team be successful.”

MU may have a small number of roster spots open this late in the season and adding new players isn’t exactly easy this late, either. Doing so with Webb will be a trial run of that for the time being, unless others make the same decision he did.

North End Zone renovation is coming to a close

Mizzou appears to be close to having its North End Zone without any construction workers or equipment. According to Drinkwitz, the completion and unveiling of the North End Zone and other construction done to Memorial Stadium adds more pressure to win with this new team.

“To see what this construction crew has done in an 18-month period has been remarkable, and I'm pretty confident they're actually turning over the keys early, and that never happens in these kinds of things,” Drinkwitz said. “So very excited to unveil it, and it's going to create an even more urgency for our team to play well at home.”

The project began its construction November 30, 2024.