With just 40 days to go until kickoff of the 2025 Ole Miss football season, it's time to break down position groups. Starting with the most important position on the field, the quarterback, a position that saw a ton of turnover, but also the position with perhaps the least amount of intrigue as the starting job has been seemingly nailed down.
QB 1 - Austin Simmons
The hype around Simmons nationally is beginning to grow, but the redshirt sophomore has long been a fan favorite amongst the Ole Miss faithful. He first made noise on the Swayze mound, but delivered one of the most consequential drives of last season when he came in to relieve an injured Jaxson Dart against Georgia. The way Simmons handled that drive, with composure, along with the clear arm talent, has the potential of what he can be pegged very high.
Simmons flipped from the Gators to the Rebels and reclassified two years, graduating from high school at 16 and enrolling at Ole Miss. In the class of 2023, Simmons was only a 3-star prospect and the 35th ranked QB according to 247 Sports. That was largely due to the reclassification, as prior to that he was a four -star prospect and would've most likely ended as a top 10 QB.
Patiently waiting ⏳ pic.twitter.com/5CEq88AgWR
— Austin Simmons (@austnsimmons) July 1, 2025
Now Simmons enters his third year at Ole Miss, at just age 19 and a college degree in hand, and the presumptive starter for the Rebels. Last season, he appeared in 7 games. Going 19 for 32 (59.4% completion percentage) for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns. None more noteworthy than his 5 for 6, 64 yard performance against the Bulldogs. The talent is clearly there and has been on display every time he sets foot on the field. Austin also clearly has it between the ears, and this is his third year in the system.
While there will certainly be some growing pains breaking in a new and young QB, I think the transition has been set up as well as one can hope, and I have full faith in Simmons. He has the talent to take this roster as far as he is able too, potentially the first playoff appearance in Ole Miss history.
QB 2 - Trinidad Chambliss
Kiffin and crew turned to the portal to fill a depleted QB room in the spring, and the best of the bunch is Ferris State transfer, Trinidad Chambliss, who comes in as a 3-star transfer prospect and the No. 60 QB in the portal according to 247.
Chambliss has reportedly been incredibly impressive through spring camp and workouts, and really providing at least some competition to Simmons. He also adds an incredible element in his running ability, that I imagine the staff will find some way to utilize this season. Last season at Ferris State, Trinidad threw for 2925 yards and 26 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. He also added 1019 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground. He also led the Bulldogs to the Division II National Championship.
QB 3/4- AJ Maddox or Maealiuaki Smith
This is a battle between two young guns for this slot. First AJ Maddox. The former four-star Hattiesburg, MS prospect was really flashing in the spring, but suffered what is believed to be a hand injury. It is still unclear exactly what the injury is, but it is believed to be somewhat serious. It is one of the main reasons that the staff went out and signed several transfer portal QBs in the spring portal. If he is healthy, AJ has the talent to challenge anyone on the roster.
Maealiuaki Smith transferred to Ole Miss from Oklahoma State. He was ranked as the 93rd portal QB, and was the 30th ranked QB and a borderline four-star recruit out of high school. As a redshirt freshman last season, Smith appeared in four games for the Cowboys, including a couple of starts. He attempted 74 passes, completing 59.5% of them.
He threw for a total of 489 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 4 INTs. Furthermore, he had a QBR of 59 and was not a running threat. He has some talent, and clearly Kiffin liked him enough to give him a spot, but I think I would give the nod to a healthy Maddox.
QB 5 - Shawqi Itraish
The last portal signee was Shawqi Itraish from Rice. This appears to me more to be a move to add experience and potentially a move by Itraish to get ready to move into coaching. Shawqi played sparingly during his time at Rice, totally just 45 passing attempts and a little over 200 passing yards. His playing time also decreased every single year, and he did not play at all in 2024.