OXFORD – Austin Simmons’ time is now. And he’s doing everything in his power to make sure the transition from one of Ole Miss’ all-time greats under center is as seamless as possible.
Coming off their third 10-win campaign in four seasons, the Rebels started spring practice Tuesday with a roster that looks significantly different than it has in recent years. Gone are stalwarts like quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, defensive linemen J.J. Pegues and Jared Ivey and one-year impact players like defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen.
Dart, the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, total offense and wins by a starting quarterback, will be succeeded by Simmons. Simmons, a Florida native, threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns behind Dart last season. The redshirt sophomore lefty saw his most meaningful action against Georgia, when he entered the game for a drive in the first quarter following a brief injury to Dart and led the Rebels down the field for a touchdown.
In addition to his record-setting statistics, Dart was widely lauded for his leadership ability – including by head coach Lane Kiffin – and the way he was able to bring the entire roster together. Simmons has started taking those same steps, though Kiffin made sure to note he doesn’t want or need his young quarterback trying to be Dart.
“I think he’s done a really good job of spending time with players. He’s always out, trying to throw extra with them,” Kiffin said. “He’s got a hard act to follow, and he doesn’t need to be Jaxson. Everybody’s different. But that was a really good one for him to learn from, to see how Jaxson took the whole team in. And so, I see him trying to do that. But at the same time, he has to be his own person, too.”
Simmons admitted he isn’t naturally the most verbal leader, preferring to let his work do the talking. It’s something he says he has been working on, though, and believes he has made strides in. He also said he’s taken “bits and pieces” from Dart’s example, particularly in terms of creating and maintaining relationships.
“I always want to lead by example, was never really the verbal guy. And, frankly, that’s what I want to get better at,” Simmons said. “Because I feel like you’ll gain more respect that way, and also I just want to let them know I always have their back, regardless. Doesn’t matter where the game’s going, doesn’t matter what’s going on. I’ll always have their back.”
One of Simmons’ closest friends on the team, junior wide receiver Cayden Lee, has also done his part to step up as a vocal leader despite it not being what he’s generally been. He described Simmons as a “goofy guy” off the field with a “one-of-a-kind” arm.
The pair arrived at Ole Miss together in the 2023 recruiting class, and Lee said Simmons’ biggest area of growth the last few years has been in his confidence.
“When he came in … he stood back, tried to observe and feel where he was,” Lee said. “And I feel like now that he knows – he’s starting to realize how good he is – and I feel like that’s a big step in everybody’s game, that once you realize that you’re that guy, you’re a lot better.”
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