Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons and WR Cayden Lee expand on their relationship, ceiling of the 2025 Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. – Spring practice officially began for Ole Miss football this morning, followed by press conferences from several players, including quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver Cayden Lee.
After working behind Jaxson Dart for two seasons, Simmons has made a smooth transition into the starting role — with the help of an incredibly deep wide receiver room. Between returners Cayden Lee and tight end Dae’Quan Wright, paired with the additions of De’Zhaun Stribling, Trey Wallace, Deuce Alexander, Luke Hasz, and Caleb Odom, Austin has an influx of stars surrounding him on the field, setting high expectations for Lane Kiffin’s offense this fall.
“I have great expectations for the wide receiver room. Just building off the field with chemistry and our relationships, just getting that timing down. I can really see us doing great things in this receiver room.”
– Simmons on his receivers
Slingin’ it@austnsimmons | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/rTJwsyxVCT
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 18, 2025
More specifically, Simmons mentioned the unique relationship he and Lee have developed over the last two years in Oxford.
“He’s one of the first people I ever talked to on campus. He’s one of the few guys I’ll genuinely talk to some deep personal stuff about. He’s definitely grown as a player and is more the veteran type… I can see us doing great things.”
– Simmons on his bond with Lee
Their chemistry was revealed firsthand to Rebel fans last season, as Austin threw his first collegiate touchdown pass to Lee in week one against Furman. Yet again versus Georgia, Simmons led a touchdown drive, including a successful 4th-and-1 pass to Lee, on top of another 20-yard completion nearly one minute later.
The FIRST pass of Austin Simmons’ career at Ole Miss is a beautypic.twitter.com/JgRoMCCjdy
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) September 1, 2024
Having developed an unbreakable bond on and off the field, Lee was asked where he’d seen the largest area of growth over Austin’s college career.
“His confidence. When he came in, he stood back and tried to observe, but now that he’s starting to see how good he really is, I feel like that’s a big step in his game.“
– Lee on where Simmons has grown the most
While Lee and other teammates have noticed his increased confidence, Austin says that expanding his leadership styles and working on situational plays have been a primary area of focus for him during training.
“I’d say really increasing my verbal leadership. I’ve never been the verbal type leader, and I’m really trying to progress in that. I’m also trying to become a better situational football player, taking things slow and deciphering what I need to do in each drive.”
– Simmons on his potential improvements
Moving forward, spring practice continues and The Rebel Walk will be here providing content, videos, and articles. Stay tuned for all of your Ole Miss sports needs!
