Former Missouri starting QB Connor Bazelak transferring to Indiana

Connor Bazelak has decided on his new school.

Bazelak, who spent the past two seasons as Missouri’s starting quarterback, announced on Thursday that he will transfer to Indiana. Bazelak, who threw for 5,058 yards at Mizzou, will have three seasons of eligibility to play for the Hoosiers.

Bazelak, the co-freshman of the year in the SEC in 2020, joins an Indiana program that had a breakthrough in 2020 but took a significant step back in 2021. The Hoosiers went 6-2 in 2020 and finished second in the Big Ten East. In 2021, though, IU dropped all the way to 2-10 and did not win a single game in conference play.

Bazelak fills a big need for Indiana after Michael Penix Jr. left IU for Washington. Penix has dealt with injuries throughout his career and was again injured early in the 2021 season. From there, both Jack Tuttle and Donaven McCulley saw significant playing time without much success. Tuttle dealt with injuries of his own while McCulley, a four-star 2021 recruit, showed flashes of promise but struggled as a passer.

Bazelak brings experience and a proven track record to IU’s quarterbacks room. After redshirting in 2019, Bazelak became Missouri’s starter in 2020 under new coach Eli Drinkwitz. That season, he threw for 2,366 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 67.3% of his throws.

In 2021, Bazelak threw for 2,548 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He announced his intent to transfer on Dec. 23, a day after the Tigers lost to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl. Bazelak did not play in the game but said he wanted to be available to play if needed before entering the transfer portal.

Over his three years at Mizzou, he totaled 5,058 yards, 23 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while completing 66.3% of his throws.