The Ole Miss quarterback position will look different for the first time in the previous three seasons. First round draft selection Jaxson Dart held down the position for those years, since transferring from USC. The next man up looks to be Austin Simmons, a player who has been with the program for two years, but is originally a 2025 recruit, reclassifying in 2023.
Ole Miss fans have seen glimpses of Simmons, with that one drive against Georgia sticking in the minds of many, with the inexperienced Florida native stepping up in a highly stressful moment, and providing a touchdown drive. However, being a No.1 starter for the season comes with different pressures.
Running back Domonique Thomas spoke to Inside the Rebels about how impressed he had been with Simmons during the spring.
"I've seen Austin really step up. Just being a leader he always wants to put in work, he always wants to throw with the receivers and always wanting to get meshes with me. He's becoming a leader, he's taking control of the team. That's what we need from our quarterback."Domonique Thomas
Head coach Lane Kiffin loves what he sees from Simmons, putting in the extra work. However, he knows how much of a tough act he has to follow.
"I think (Simmons) has done a really good job spending time with players, during spring camp. He's always out trying to throw extra with them. He's got a hard act to follow."Lane Kiffin
Despite being on the sidelines for two years, Simmons is still 19 after reclassifying. He has also been able to absorb plenty of knowledge and gain advice from a first-round draft pick in Jaxson Dart. Another positive for Simmons is that there is not as much hype around the program this season, which could help him settle in the early parts of the season. That being said, Kiffin will not keep him in if it's not working when it gets to the middle of the season.