Lowkey but Locked In: Austin Simmons Set for First Start at Quarterback for the Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. — It’s a big season for Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons, who will be the starter for the Rebels after spending the prior two seasons in the program behind Jaxson Dart. The former Ole Miss QB Dart is now with the New York Giants, expected to compete as starter.
Simmons keeping his inner circle tight
As the starter, Simmons will undoubtedly have a queue of family and friends wanting to watch him at the Vaught. However, when asked this week about how many people he will have at the game, he explained there will only be a handful of close family members in attendance.
“I choose to be lowkey,” Simmons said this week of who will be around him.
“Just my mom, dad, grandmas, and just keeping everybody in tight in the inner circle and not having any outside noise, not having distant friends or anything like that, and just keeping my mom, dad, and grandmothers close.”
Austin Simmons on who will be at the Vaught Saturday
Wise beyond his years
It’s an exciting moment for Simmons, but even with his poise it is easy to forget that the young quarterback, who reclassified from the 2025 class to the 2023 class, is just 19. In spite of that, he holds a degree from Ole Miss, graduating this spring.
The Florida native is a level-headed player who speaks and thinks like a man way beyond his years. When asked about what he has learned throughout the process over the last two seasons, he answered like an experienced college quarterback.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is accepting everything that comes with the role. Definitely a lot of adversity, especially a lot of outside noise, which comes with being in this type of position. Really, just learning how to handle it, and that’s when spring football was the best time for me, stepping up into a different type of position. I would say that prepared me very well. But, I definitely see like a lot of progression over time. Definitely like managing the offense, driving down the field, you know, dealing with certain plays that really like hold up the tempo. But it’s been good overall.”
Austin Simmons
@therebelwalk Austin simmons on his growth this season : “From the first semester to now, I’ve grown into a stronger leader on and off the field. It’s about handling adversity, making the small corrections, and continuing to progress as I manage the offense.” #olemiss #olemissfootball #austinsimmons #sec #football #fyp #fypシ #leader #leadership #progress
Talented wide receiver room
While there are just two returning starters on the Rebels’ offense, Simmons will have one of those back in the form of receiver Cayden Lee, with whom he has a close friendship. Additionally, head coach Lane Kiffin loaded the room through the portal, bringing in some experienced and strong talent from other schools.
Simmons talked about his targets.
“Oh, like it’s a great bond,” Simmons began.
“You know, I always joke with them every single morning. Like Deuce (Alexander), for example. He and I joke about stuff that’s going to happen in the game, stuff we have game planned and stuff like that. And you know, everyone knows me and Cayden (Lee). You know, we’ve always had that relationship ever since I enrolled. And I just have a great relationship with everyone in the receiver room.”
Austin Simmons on his wide receiver room
Ready for the Vaught
When Simmons takes the field Saturday, he is ready for all the excitement — and noise — that comes in a raucous Vaught-Hemingway.
“Oh, like, the pop here is actually crazy, though,” he recalled. “Last year in the Georgia game, I think that’s the loudest environment I’ve ever been in in my life. You know, definitely we’ve been in a lot of rowdy environments like LSU last year, Georgia in 2023. And it’s been really fun playing those type of environments. So I’m really looking forward to this year at home.
Simmons will take his first snap as the Rebels starter on August 30 as Ole Miss faces Georgia State at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:45 pm CT, and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Jordan Merritt
Jordan is a freelance writer who covers sports, games, and more. A United Kingdom native, he covers everything Ole Miss for The Rebel Walk. He has written for several publications, including Athlon Sports, On SI, Fansided, and others. Away from writing, he loves spending time with his family and watching films and TV series.
