Missouri

Every college football season, an unexpected quarterback prospect seems to emerge from the shadows, step into the national spotlight, and enter the conversation as a potential first-round pick. 

In 2019, it was former Ohio State backup, Joe Burrow. In 2025, it was former Cal starter and Indiana Hoosier transfer, Fernando Mendoza. 

2026? Early returns suggest the University of Missouri southpaw gunslinger, Austin Simmons. 

The 247 four-star transfer portal signee arrives at Columbia by way of the Ole Miss Rebels and has the Tigers off and running with a 2-0 record.  

So who is Austin Simmons, and why does there seem to be a groundswell of hype building behind him?

Let’s begin with what makes him truly one-of-a-kind. Simmons is currently in his fourth year of college, 20 years old, and working on his master’s. A true academic prodigy, he graduated high school in two years and skipped his junior and senior years to jump into the SEC and play at Ole Miss. Originally a class of 2025 quarterback, he reclassified to 2023 to get an early start on his tutelage from Lane Kiffin. 

Drawn to Ole Miss specifically because of Kiffin’s offensive prowess and ability to develop elite quarterbacks, the high school two-sport phenom was also swayed by the promise of being able to play football and baseball in Oxford. 

In the summer of 2023, Simmons flipped his commitment from the Florida Gators to Ole Miss and spent the fall 2023 season taking a redshirt year to adapt to the speed of college athletics. Simmons joined the Mississippi baseball team as a left-handed relief pitcher. He made 13 bullpen appearances, putting up a stellar 3.21 ERA and a 2-0 record before a minor elbow sprain ended his baseball season. After the injury, Simmons stepped away from baseball to focus on football, his first love. 

In the fall of 2024, Simmons was back on the gridiron as the primary backup to future first-round pick Jaxson Dart. He appeared in nine games, flashing high-end upside.

After Dart’s departure, Simmons beat out the competition in fall camp and was named the undisputed starter for the 2025 season. In week 1, he exploded for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns against Georgia State. However, in week 2 against Kentucky, he suffered a pivotal left ankle injury. While Simmons healed, little-known backup, former Division II star and potential 2026 first-round pick, Trinidad Chambliss took over, and the offense caught fire, leading the Rebels to a College Football Playoff berth and leaving Simmons relegated to the bench. 

Recognizing the writing was on the wall, Simmons entered the transfer portal on January 2, 2026. Four days later, he joined the Tigers of Missouri.