New QB1, Same Rebel Grit: Austin Simmons Ready to Forge His Own Legacy at Ole Miss
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ATLANTA — For the past three years, Rebel Nation got to know Jaxson Dart — the fiery competitor, the social media personality, the leader under center. As Dart now chases his NFL dreams with the New York Giants, a new chapter begins in Oxford with sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons, a quiet storm poised to lead in his own way.
Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons Ready to Lead the Rebels, Build Brotherhood, and Chase a Title. @kam_wicker has more on Ole Miss QB1. ⤵️ https://t.co/tBAex6tjir
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) April 24, 2025
Not much has been publicly revealed about Simmons, and that’s intentional.
“I don’t really want to give an expectation and not reach it, so I’m just going to have people find out [more about me] after the season,” Simmons said at SEC Media Days this week.
The Florida native graduated high school two years early and has already earned his undergraduate degree — all as a 19-year old. He does not turn 20 until November. That head start gave him time to soak up Lane Kiffin’s offense and develop behind Dart, all while keeping a low profile.
But make no mistake: when his number was called in 2024, Simmons delivered.
A preview of what’s to come
Against top-ranked Georgia, in front of a rain-soaked crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Dart went down early with a leg injury. Simmons stepped in, trailing 7-0, and with poise beyond his years, he executed under pressure. He completed five of six passes and led Ole Miss on its first scoring drive of the game — a key spark that helped the Rebels pull away and seal a massive win.
EXCLUSIVE: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons sits down with our Daylan Flowers! 🏈@austnsimmons talks to @TheDaylanShow about facing Georgia, practicing vs. the Rebel defense, the love the team has for each other, the importance of his dad, and more! ⤵️
📺: https://t.co/JVw2sA0lOz pic.twitter.com/SKWaPlFPAp
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) November 18, 2024
That performance said plenty, but Simmons’ confidence was built long before that moment — on the fields of South Florida, where elite competition was the norm.
“The confidence comes just from being from South Florida. I’m from Miami. Miami is pretty known for having all those great athletes coming out. Jeremiah Smith, he’s from Opa-locka. I live 20 minutes from him. Just being around those top dogs and just competing with them at a high level, that just builds confidence on its own,” Simmons explained.
“And I just take it to college. As far as like preparation, what I want to get better, I’ll just say everything when it comes to my quarterback play. There’s not one thing I want to leave out. And just really want to make sure that my game is close to perfection by the time the first game is.”
Austin Simmons
‘They’re very different:’ Simmons and Dart
Simmons’ performance against Georgia turned heads — including that of head coach Lane Kiffin. But Kiffin also certainly understands the two QBs are not the same athlete.
“Yeah, they’re very different. I mean, if you look at how they throw right-hand, left-hand, that would basically be about everything about them, like everything is that different. That’s okay. Austin has to make sure he doesn’t have to try to be Jaxson,” Kiffin said at Media Days.
“Jaxson wasn’t Jaxson the third year of Jaxson until he was a third year. He’ll be fine. He’s got elite talent. Does a great job. He’s maturing. Did a great job when he came in in the Georgia game. We’re excited about it.”
Lane Kiffin on Austin Simmons and Jaxson Dart
Forging his own path
Kiffin’s point hits home with Simmons. He knows he’s stepping into big shoes — Dart leaves as the program’s all-time leading passer — but the sophomore QB is carving his own path.
“I don’t really put any pressure on myself. I just think that I just have to forge my own legacy rather than just keep on building off from like what Jaxson did in his success. I just have to play my own game and just keep on going and growing as a player.”
Austin Simmons
Part of that growth has come from being a keen observer. Simmons spent last season on the sideline, studying, learning — and absorbing lessons from Dart’s demeanor during tense moments.
“Definitely like, controlling the storm, seeing — adversity is going to strike in this conference, each and every game is going to be competitive. Obviously seeing like how Dart handled each and every type of adversity he faced throughout the game, like if he threw an interception, stuff like that, really just staying calm and not freaking out.”
Austin Simmons
Before fully committing to football, Simmons wore two uniforms. He pitched for Mike Bianco’s baseball squad — until a UCL injury in April 2024 changed his path. Though he initially held onto hope of a return to the mound, Simmons ultimately announced in January 2025 that his future would be football-only.
“I was very emotional. I miss being on that field, especially playing in front of like 10,000 fans,” Simmons said of his time at Swayze Field. “Being able to be on that mound, my last [baseball] game was on that mound, unfortunately. It’s just a tough feeling.”
Bianco, who previously coached dual-sport athlete John Rhys Plumlee, supported Simmons throughout the transition — a gesture Simmons appreciated deeply.
Commanding the offense
With no baseball or summer classes demanding his time, Simmons devoted his offseason to strengthening bonds with his teammates and mastering the offense. According to linebacker TJ Dottery, the difference has been evident.
“I see him commanding the offense. I’ve watched him take a step, from when Dart was here, even just from the spring until now,” Dottery said at SEC Media Days.
“Watching him continuously take those steps in the right direction and just being a great quarterback and great leader on the offense, and for the team, has been huge. He’s been doing the right things.”
TJ Dottery on Austin Simmons
Wide receiver Cayden Lee echoed the praise, noting Simmons’ ability to lead — vocally when needed — even if he comes across as reserved in interviews.
“When he needs to talk and when he needs to be that vocal leader, he’s absolutely that guy. I know a lot of people think of him as the ‘quieter, doesn’t talk, leads by example’ type of guy, but when he needs to get the job done, when he needs to get in your face, he can do that too.”
Cayden Lee on Austin Simmons
While many college athletes today focus on building their brands and NIL portfolios, Simmons has remained locked in on football. For now, his priority is crystal clear: win the first game.
“I just want to play ball at the end of the day. [I have] always had dreams of playing for a national championship, but right now, we are just focused on Georgia State, so I’m going to focus on that….”
A new era begins
On August 30, when Ole Miss takes the field against Georgia State, it won’t just be the start of a new season — it’ll be the official beginning of the Austin Simmons era. And if his preparation, mindset, and flashes of brilliance are any indication, Rebel fans are in for something special.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
