Talented young signal caller with a strong right arm who was thrown into the fire a year ago ... Made four starts as a redshirt freshman and gained valuable experience which will benefit him going forward ... Enters camp ready to compete for the starting job, and is listed second on the depth chart.
2012 SEASON
Filled in admirably for injured starter James Franklin, and helped guide Mizzou to wins against Arizona State and Kentucky as part of his four starts on the season ... Was strong in his first career collegiate appearance, completing all five pass attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown against Southeastern Louisiana ... Also added 25 yards on the ground on five carries, highlighted by a 1-yard score on a keeper in the fourth quarter ... Hit Jimmie Hunt from 10-yards out for his first career passing TD in that game as well ... Earned his first career start against Arizona State, finishing the game by going 21-for-41 with 198 yards ... Also picked up 25 yards on the ground and tacked on his second rushing touchdown of the season ... Came off the bench in the fourth quarter vs. South Carolina and led the Tigers to their lone TD drive of the day, hooking up with Marcus Lucas for a 1-yard score in the closing minute ... Finished that game 7-for-8 passing with 54 yards and the TD ... Relieved an injured James Franklin against Vanderbilt and came off the bench to throw for 189 yards on 9-of-30 passing while rushing for 23 yards on seven carries ... Had an 85-yard TD pass in the 4th quarter to Bud Sasser, a career-long pass, vs. Vanderbilt ... Started again against Alabama, going 12-of-29 for 126 yards, including a long of 29 yards ... Earned another start for the injured James Franklin against Kentucky and went 10-of-18 with two picks and 71 yards ... Ran the ball twice against Florida, accounting for four yards and a pair of first downs on short-yardage carries ... Again had to unexpectedly fill in for Franklin against Syracuse, and completed 4-of-8 passes in the 4th quarter ... Started the finale at Texas A&M and threw for a career-best 276 yards (on 20-of-38 passing) and 2 TDs, including a 74-yard scoring strike to L'Damian Washington ... Also carried six times at A&M for 33 yards and a rushing TD ... Named the team's most improved QB for the spring ... Closed camp by completing 13-of-20 passes in the Black & Gold Game for 187 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT.
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2011 SEASON
Took a redshirt to further learn the Tiger spread attack and develop physically ... Was very impressive throughout fall camp as well as during the season in working with the offense.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 16 pro-style quarterback, as well as the No. 3 overall player at any position to come out of the state of Missouri in the Class of 2011 ... Won 1st-Team All-State honors as a senior after an impressive season that saw him amass 3,369 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, compared to only 6 interceptions ... Also showed an ability to impact the game with his feet, as he ran for 712 yards and 12 more scores as he helped lead his team to the state playoffs ... Threw for 1,300 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior, while he had 1,800 yards and 10 passing touchdowns as a sophomore ... Won 2nd-Team All-Conference honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons, as well ... Ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's No. 43 quarterback prospect overall ... Outstanding all-around athlete who also a 2nd-Team All-State pick and conference player of the year in baseball, while also lettering in basketball for two years ... High school coach - Eric Thomas.
PERSONAL
Parents - Greg & Kim Berkstresser ... Plans to study in MU's School of Business ... Lists hobbies as reading the Bible and playing X-Box ... Lifelong Mizzou fan who committed to the Tiger program way back in June of 2009, and who was never really interested in considering other schools.
