Beau Being Beau: How Pribula's Poise Has Set the Tone for Mizzou's Fast Start
Mizzou fans are buzzing about their new quarterback, Beau Pribula, and for good reason. His poise and leadership have been instrumental in the team's impressive start to the season. This article examines Pribula's impact, his unique journey to Missouri, and the high praise he's receiving from former teammates.
A Quarterback Unlike Any Other in Mizzou History
It's a bold statement, but arguably true: Mizzou has never had a quarterback start his career quite like Beau Pribula. While other quarterbacks like Brady Cook and Brad Smith have achieved success, Pribula's immediate impact, particularly his leadership and intangible qualities, sets him apart. He's quickly earned the trust and respect of his teammates and coaches.
Through two games, Pribula boasts impressive stats: a completion percentage above 79%, over 300 passing yards per game, seven touchdowns, and only one turnover. These numbers mark the best start to a Mizzou career for a starting QB this century.
Intangibles and Leadership
Beyond the stats, Pribula's leadership is evident. He was voted a team captain during fall camp, and his receivers praise his work ethic. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz consistently highlights Pribula's leadership qualities alongside his on-field performance. Pribula readily takes on press duties, further demonstrating his role as a leader.
Pribula himself seems to relish the opportunity at Missouri. He's measured, self-critical, and quick to praise his teammates. He focuses on team goals, emphasizing the importance of fighting through adversity. His message to the team ahead of game day centered on facing and overcoming challenges.
Prepared for Success
What makes Beau Pribula so unique for Missouri? He arrived ready-made for success. His time at Penn State, despite limited playing time, provided valuable experience. He honed his skills against top defenses and learned from a respected head coach, gaining the knowledge and know-how to win at a high level.
While past Mizzou quarterbacks experienced growing pains, Beau Pribula has been waiting for this opportunity. Eli Drinkwitz and his staff took a chance, and so far, it's paying off.
Landon Tengwall's High Praise
Former Penn State offensive lineman Landon Tengwall, now a college football analyst, has been closely watching his former teammate, Beau Pribula. Tengwall's channel, The Landon Tengwall Show, features film study and analysis, including Pribula's performances at Mizzou.
Tengwall recalls Pribula's "moxie" and "swagger" even as a freshman at Penn State. He believes Pribula never got a fair shot to compete for the starting job there, often relegated to a gadget role.
"He was a super athletic kid, obviously," Tengwall said. "The No. 1 thing with Beau was that he’s got moxie, he’s got swagger. He’s the type of guy who you want to be led by. And so you can see the trajectory that he was on.”
Silencing Doubts
Tengwall noted that some questioned Pribula's ability to read defenses and his arm strength. However, Pribula's impressive performance against Kansas, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns, silenced those doubts.
Tengwall highlights Pribula's resilience after an early fumble against Kansas. His ability to bounce back and deliver accurate passes demonstrated mental toughness and a short-term memory, crucial for a quarterback.
"I think after that fumble early in the game against Kansas, he said, ‘Alright, I’m going to do this with my arm,’” Tengwall said. “And I think that showed a lot there."
Strengths and Areas for Improvement
Tengwall praises Pribula's pocket presence and ability to create space while on the run. He believes Pribula's mechanics are impressive, even when throwing off balance.
While acknowledging the competition level, Tengwall emphasizes the quality of Pribula's throws, his confidence in reading defenses, and his solid mechanics.
Despite the praise, there's room for improvement. Eli Drinkwitz mentioned some jitters in the pocket. Tengwall suggests Pribula should continue to keep his eyes downfield when scrambling.
The Ceiling for Beau Pribula
If Beau Pribula is already impressing analysts like Landon Tengwall, what's his potential? He's already leading a high-scoring offense and earning recognition.
“I think he can easily be one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football,” Tengwall said. “I think in this day and age, you have to have a certain level of mobility. Look at pretty much all of the quarterbacks in the NFL, the best ones all can move. And that’s what Beau is able to do. You have to be a great leader. And I think we can already see that everybody wants to rally around Beau. The fans, the coaches, his teammates, everybody. It’s easy to do that.”
Tengwall believes Pribula's risk-taking mentality, combined with his talent and leadership, gives him the potential to be one of the best in college football. The next test will be proving himself against top SEC schools.
Leaving a Legacy
Despite leaving Penn State, Beau Pribula has the support of his former teammates. Tengwall emphasizes that everyone at Penn State is happy for Pribula's success at Mizzou.
“Everybody here was incredibly high on Beau, we absolutely loved him,” Tengwall said. “He was a great teammate...And I know everybody here, even including (Penn State) coach (James) Franklin, is incredibly happy for Beau Pribula, and what he’s able to do down there at Mizzou."
