Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons will battle it out to be the starting quarterback in 2025 now that Jaxson Dart has departed. Based on the small sample size we witnessed in 2024, he has a good chance to win the job.
As a dual-sport player, the big question for Simmons is whether he should continue playing baseball for the Rebels or fully concentrate on football.
That question was answered by Ole Miss, who released a statement about his decision.
“”After having a conversation with Coach Bianco, Austin Simmons is no longer on the baseball roster so that he can concentrate on playing football.””
Ole Miss Athletics statement
As expected — Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons all-in for 2025 season, putting baseball career to rest https://t.co/c6GzTR2Bq7 via @247Sports pic.twitter.com/KNMqfgk25d
— Tyler Komis (@TylerKomis) January 18, 2025
The decision is excellent news for Lane Kiffin, who will have Simmons entirely concentrated during spring now that he is not on the baseball roster. It was a big call for the redshirt sophomore, who was a good baseball player and had featured last season as a reliever.
Simmons clubhouse leader to be starting quarterback
Austin Simmons will face AJ Maddox and transfer Pierce Clarkson for the starting spot, but he is already the leader.
Simmons won the backup job in 2024 ahead of Walker Howard, a former five-star recruit. He made a few appearances early on in garbage time games, but the one drive that made people excited about 2025 was against Georgia.
Down 7-0 after Jaxson Dart saw his opening drive result in an interception, later turning into seven points. Dart was injured on that drive, meaning Simmons came in. He put together a calm and commanding drive; one passes an NFL-caliber one on 4th down to keep the drive going.
Dart would return, but fans remembered that sequence and were licking their lips for the next season. It’s also important to remember that Simmons is a 2025 recruit who reclassified to the 2023 class.
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