ATLANTA – Ole Miss redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons had a method to his madness when he opted to graduate after just two years on campus.
Simmons, the 6-foot-4 lefty from Florida, reclassified from the 2025 high-school class and became a member of the Rebels’ 2023 signing class after graduating from high school two years early. He redshirted as a true freshman and played in nine games last season, throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns behind star Jaxson Dart. Simmons’ biggest moment came against No. 3 Georgia when Dart was injured during the game’s opening moments. Simmons calmly orchestrated a scoring drive by completing 5 of 6 passes for 64 yards.
Knowing his opportunity to be Ole Miss’ starting quarterback would eventually arrive, Simmons crammed in a massive course load so he could complete his undergraduate degree. With his bachelor’s degree out of the way and a master’s degree in the works, Simmons’ time as the face of the Rebels is here. He was one of Ole Miss’ three representatives at SEC Media Days Monday, joining junior wide receiver Cayden Lee and junior linebacker TJ Dottery.
“Being able to get all the academic stuff out of the way and just being able to primarily focus on football … I think that’s been a big thing as well,” Simmons said. “ … When baseball was in play, being able to enter the MLB Draft at such a young age because the younger you are, the better it is (factored into graduating early as well). Really just focusing on sports rather than academics.”
Dart, a three-year starter for the Rebels who left as the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, total offense and wins by a starting quarterback, was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of 2025 NL Draft. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin wants Simmons to be his own player and teammate rather than trying to emulate Dart step-for-step.
“I think any time, whether that’s the NFL or college, when a significant player at the position – especially quarterback – you have to be careful that the next guy doesn’t think he has to be him exactly, especially because Jaxson was a great leader, but he was unique in how he did that, in the relationships,” Kiffin said. “Austin’s got to be himself and just initially really work more on his game and his improvement, and then we can help him with the other stuff.”
Simmons and Lee were both members of the 2023 recruiting class and are close friends. Lee has seen firsthand just how hard Simmons worked, particularly when he played baseball in the 2023 season, calling his quarterback “very busy.” Lee (874 yards) is one of the SEC’s returning receivers and built a strong rapport with Dart as 2024 unfolded. Lee knows better than anyone how different Dart and Simmons are but also knows it’s far from a bad thing.
“Austin is more of a quieter person, doesn’t really talk as much. Jaxson was more spoken, more vocal,” Lee said. “But Austin makes up for that not-spoken-piece with his actions. He’s a very good leader.”
Sitting at one of the three breakout tables set up inside the College Football Hall of Fame on Monday afternoon, Simmons navigated questions as Ole Miss’ new starting quarterback like a seasoned veteran. He also noted he was hopeful he would be able to take the placard with his name and image back to Oxford so he could “put it up in my room.”
Simmons has been waiting for this moment, and it has arrived.
“I’ve always dreamt of being in this type of position,” Simmons said. “And now I’m here.”
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