Predictably, it hasn’t taken long for Mizzou fans to become enlivened about all the buzz surrounding true freshman quarterback Drew Lock, a heralded prospect who has been turning heads with regularity throughout Missouri’s 2015 fall camp.
After three live scrimmages, the 6’4, 205 pound Lock has turned in some impressive stats combining for 484 yards and four touchdowns with an impressive 74.5% completion percentage to boot. Lofty scrimmage stats aside, Mizzou quarterbacks coach Andy Hill has clearly been impressed with Lock’s transition from high school to the SEC.
So what does Lock’s emergence mean for the Mizzou quarterback picture heading in to 2015? Clearly, redshirt junior Maty Mauk is the starter, but rumors have already been swirling about Lock burning his redshirt in hopes of early playing time. If this occurs, there is no doubt that the coaching staff is looking for Lock to make contributions sooner than later, and could very well find himself pushing Maty Mauk for snaps this season and beyond. It would also make it clear that the staff believes that Lock is the most viable backup option on the team, which speaks highly considering the overall depth of the position including former starter Corbin Berkstresser, the dynamic Marvin Zanders and former UCLA commit Eddie Printz.
“He’s ready to go. He’s a guy that could be playing if you want him to.” Coach Hill added.
It’s been clear from the moment that he humbly committed to Missouri back in April of 2013 that he was destined for stardom at his state’s school. His father Andy Lock played tackle at Missouri from 1986-1989 and clearly had a large role in helping his son make the right college (and sport) choice.
“My parents and grandparents would obviously cheer for me, but I do not think they would cheer for the school as well. Going to Missouri, they would be cheering for me, but at the same time they would already want Missouri to win so bad.” Lock would say moments after putting on a white Mizzou hat following his commitment.
Lock would go on to have a prodigious senior season at Lees Summit and won Simone Award which recognizes the best high school football player in the Kansas City Metro. A trip the U.S. Army All-American game would follow before finally arriving on campus at Mizzou in June.
It is clear now that Lock is on a collision course to potential greatness as he continues to develop his game at the D-1 level. Anyone that follows recruiting knew that he would be showcasing his abilities in the SEC at some point, but now it’s time to wonder if “some point” might mean sooner rather than later.
Drew Lock Senior Season Features
