Ole Miss Quarterback Austin Simmons Officially Joins NCAA Transfer Portal Process

Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons has announced his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after two seasons with the Rebels. Simmons began the current season as the team’s starting quarterback but faced an ankle injury that sidelined him for several games.

The injury occurred late in the game against Kentucky, forcing Simmons to miss multiple contests. In his absence, transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss stepped in and led Ole Miss to four straight victories. When Simmons recovered, he was demoted to the backup role behind Chambliss.

In the previous season, Simmons served mostly as a reserve to starter Jaxson Dart. He appeared in nine games, completing 19 of 32 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Despite limited experience, he earned the starting job during the spring practices, showing promise before his untimely injury.

Simmons will enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. As a graduate transfer, he is considered one of the more appealing quarterback prospects on the market this offseason.

Background and Recruitment

Simmons played high school football at Pahokee in Florida, where he was a four-star recruit. He accelerated his academic progress by reclassifying from the 2025 to the 2023 class after completing graduation requirements early. Initially committing to the University of Florida, he later flipped his pledge to Ole Miss and signed with the Rebels in the summer.

According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, Simmons was the No. 266 overall recruit nationally in his class. His early graduation and athletic potential made him a notable addition to the Rebels’ roster.

Potential Transfer Destinations

Despite entering the transfer portal, Simmons plans to remain with Ole Miss through their College Football Playoff run. The Rebels recently defeated No. 3 Georgia and are scheduled to face Miami next. This decision is unusual, as most players typically leave their teams immediately upon entering the portal.

Reports indicate Simmons placed a do-not-contact restriction on his transfer process, suggesting he may already have a preferred destination. Missouri is widely regarded as the leading candidate to acquire him. The Tigers are in need of a new starting quarterback after Beau Pribula declared his transfer intentions following only one season.

Missouri’s pursuit of Simmons mirrors their recent experience with Pribula, who entered the portal during a College Football Playoff run but opted to leave Penn State before the season concluded. Should Simmons join Missouri, he would likely compete for the starting role immediately.

Summary of Key Points

1. Austin Simmons plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal with two years of eligibility left.
2. He started the current season but lost the job due to an ankle injury.
3. Simmons played high school football at Pahokee and reclassified early.
4. Initially a Florida commit, he signed with Ole Miss in 2023.
5. He has placed a do-not-contact restriction on transfer inquiries.
6. Missouri is considered the favorite to land Simmons as their starting quarterback.
7. Simmons intends to stay with Ole Miss until the end of their College Football Playoff run.

This move adds an intriguing storyline to the quarterback market this offseason. Simmons’ combination of youth, experience, and graduate transfer status makes him a valuable asset for programs seeking an immediate impact at the position. Monitoring where he lands will be essential for evaluating the upcoming season’s quarterback landscape.