According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Simmons plans to enter the portal as a graduate transfer with a “do not contact” tag—a clear signal that he has a preferred destination in mind. That destination? Missouri. Simmons, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, is expected to remain with the Rebels through their College Football Playoff run, including their upcoming semifinal matchup against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8th.
Pete Thamel on X (formerly Twitter): “NEWS: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per an ESPN source. He’s entering with a no contact tag, with Missouri as the favorite to land him. He’s expected to stay with Ole Miss through the CFP. pic.twitter.com/z7B6jaNhz6 / X”
NEWS: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per an ESPN source. He’s entering with a no contact tag, with Missouri as the favorite to land him. He’s expected to stay with Ole Miss through the CFP. pic.twitter.com/z7B6jaNhz6
Simmons, a 20-year-old left-handed quarterback from Florida, burst onto the scene as Ole Miss’s starter to open the 2025 season. He impressed in his debut against Georgia State, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant 63-7 victory. In his second start against Kentucky, he guided the Rebels to a 30-23 win before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for several weeks.
In his absence, Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss seized the opportunity, leading Ole Miss on an impressive run that propelled them into the CFP. Chambliss’s emergence as a Heisman contender effectively relegated Simmons to backup duties upon his return, limiting him to sparse reps for the remainder of the season. Overall in 2025, Simmons completed 60% of his passes for 744 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions across limited action.
The former highly touted recruit—once ranked in the top 300 nationally in the Class of 2023 after reclassifying from 2025—also showcased his dual-sport prowess earlier in his Ole Miss career, contributing as a pitcher on the baseball team before focusing solely on football.
For Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, Simmons represents an ideal solution to a sudden quarterback vacancy. The Tigers lost their 2025 starter, Beau Pribula, to the transfer portal, creating an immediate need for an experienced signal-caller. Backup Sam Horn is reportedly eyeing a professional baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, leaving the room thin.
Simmons brings SEC starting experience, a strong arm, and familiarity with high-level schemes that align well with Missouri’s offensive approach. As a graduate transfer, he can compete for the starting job right away, potentially battling true freshman Matt Zollers and others in the room.
If the move materializes, it sets up an intriguing storyline for 2026: Simmons could face his former team when Missouri travels to Oxford on October 17.
Simmons’s departure adds uncertainty to Ole Miss’s quarterback situation heading into 2026. With Lane Kiffin having departed for LSU and Trinidad Chambliss’s eligibility pending an NCAA waiver decision, the Rebels may need to dip into the portal themselves for a starter.
Simmons’s talent is undeniable—he possesses the arm strength and athleticism to thrive at the Power 4 level. At just 20 years old, a fresh start in Columbia could allow him to reclaim the spotlight and fulfill the immense potential that made him one of the most hyped young QBs in recent recruiting cycles.
As the transfer portal window heats up, all eyes will be on Simmons’s official announcement post-CFP. For now, Missouri fans have reason to be optimistic about landing a quarterback who could stabilize and elevate their offense in the competitive SEC landscape.
Pete Thamel on X (formerly Twitter): “For Missouri fans, here’s a profile of Simmons from @espn this summer. He throws as pure of a ball as anyone in college football, as Lane Kiffin called it “the Tua thing.” https://t.co/p4I8Y6oYrh https://t.co/OlwR1BsiK0 / X”
For Missouri fans, here’s a profile of Simmons from @espn this summer. He throws as pure of a ball as anyone in college football, as Lane Kiffin called it “the Tua thing.” https://t.co/p4I8Y6oYrh https://t.co/OlwR1BsiK0
