OXFORD, Miss. — In an era when quarterback rooms can fracture overnight, Ole Miss’ Austin Simmons quietly made sure the opposite happened.
Simmons, who recently transferred from the Rebels to Missouri, leaves Oxford with something even more meaningful than statistics or headlines — he leaves with the respect of teammates, coaches, fans, and a locker room that never once questioned his character.
“First off, I want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for blessing me and giving me the opportunity to play this beautiful game. I also want to thank Lane Kiffin, Coach Weis, Coach Judge, and the rest of the coaching staff for blessing me with an opportunity to be an Ole Miss Rebel. Ever since I’ve stepped foot in that facility, y’all have shown me a different side to this special game that I love and have made me a better player, but even a better person. I’ve enjoyed every moment of being here and I’ll forever cherish them.
“I also want to thank Coach Bianco for blessing me with an opportunity to compete with his team. All of those memories that were made in Swayze Field will forever be cherished.
“To all of my teammates, y’all will forever be my Family! We’ve been through it all together, the highs and the lows. Being able to play by your side is what made this whole experience special and I’m forever grateful being able to call y’all my brothers.
“To all the Rebs fans, thank you for always showing unconditional love and support. Ever since I enrolled here, I always knew it would be different. Who would’ve ever thought a small town in Oxford Mississippi would’ve brought so much memories and love. I’ll forever be an Ole Miss Rebel and it is true that ‘One Never Graduates From Ole Miss.’ This place will forever have a special place in my heart.”
Mahalo, Ole Miss and Hotty Toddy— Austin Simmons
From the moment Simmons arrived at Ole Miss, he carried himself with maturity well beyond his years. Though his role shifted throughout the season following his ankle injury and the subsequent emergence of Trinidad Chambliss, Simmons never allowed circumstance to dictate his attitude. Whether preparing as the starter or supporting from the sidelines, he remained fully invested in the success of the team.
Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge praised Simmons in comments last month.
“He’s awesome. He’s absolutely awesome. This dude is as smart as can be. He’s extremely talented. He’s a pleasure to be around, he works relentlessly and he’s a dude that hasn’t had the easiest season to be honest with you. People talk all the time about a pro mindset. I think a lot of time people don’t really understand what that is. This guy is a pro in every sense of the word. He comes to work, he does his job, he supports his teammates, he improves every day. He’s ready for whatever we ask him to do, and he does it with a smile. This guy knows how to handle adversity and things that come his way as good as anybody I’ve ever been around.“
Joe Judge on Austin Simmons
Here is a video I took at the Fiesta Bowl vs. Miami. Simmons, as he has all season, greets each of his teammates out of tunnel and shares a hug with head coach Pete Golding.
Those around the program have consistently pointed to Simmons as a steady presence — a quarterback who prepared like he was one snap away, encouraged teammates regardless of position battles, and handled uncertainty with professionalism. In a sport where emotions often spill into the public eye, Simmons stayed grounded, focused, and team-first.
That approach mattered, especially during a season filled with transition and pressure. Ole Miss leaned heavily on its quarterback room as the Rebels pushed through a deep postseason run, and Simmons’ role behind the scenes was not insignificant. Teammates noticed his willingness to help, to listen, and to lead even when the spotlight wasn’t on him.
Ultimately, Simmons’ decision to transfer wasn’t about frustration or failure. It was about opportunity.
With the quarterback landscape shifting and his path to consistent playing time narrowing, Simmons made a thoughtful decision to continue his development elsewhere. Missouri offers that next chapter — a chance to compete, grow, and take the next step in his career.
For Ole Miss, his departure is felt not because of what went wrong, but because of what went right.
Simmons exits the program having done everything the right way. He showed patience when it was required, confidence when his number was called, and humility throughout it all. Those traits don’t always show up in box scores, but they matter deeply inside a locker room.
As Simmons heads to Columbia, he does so with nothing but goodwill from Oxford. His story serves as a reminder that not every transfer is an indictment — sometimes, it’s simply the next step for a young man who handled his time exactly as he should have.
And wherever his career leads next, one thing is certain: Austin Simmons will continue to earn respect the same way he always has — by who he is, not just how he plays. Best of luck to you, Austin. All of Rebel Nation is behind you.
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
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