Austin Simmons, the projected starting quarterback for Ole Miss next fall, hosted a meet and greet at The College Corner on Saturday, April 26 in hopes of connecting with fans and giving them insight into who he is.
More than 100 fans, including students, turned out for the sophomore.
Out of high school, Simmons was a highly valued recruit for many programs across the country, and ultimately he decided Ole Miss was the best fit.
“It’s nothing like I’ve seen before. I’ve been to many places, and really it’s just unique to how much support that this whole community surrounds around the football program,” Simmons said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “And just being around the coaches, being around the players, being around the whole program by itself, really, just made me say, ‘This place, this is home.’”
The Miami native was verbally committed to the University of Florida before signing with the Rebels.
“Well, it was just a verbal commitment. At the end of the day, really just doing what’s best for me, and I saw that I can achieve more here at the school, rather than Florida,” Simmons said.
Playing in the SEC can bring immense pressure, but taking the reins for a Top 15 team in the country will bring even more challenges. However, Simmons seems unphased.
“I’m just a normal person. I’m just a quarterback that’s just here to do my job,” Simmons said.
With the Rebels loading up from the transfer portal, Simmons has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“I think we can do anything. I think we can accomplish our goals and that’s to win a national championship,” Simmons said.
The team has always prioritized a competitive environment and kept every player, including Simmons, ready for anything.
“At the end of the day (with us) competing every single day, nothing’s really guaranteed. My spot is not guaranteed,” Simmons said. “So, I’m just gonna keep moving forward every day, as if my spot is on the line, so not taking any rep for granted. Really just put forward maximum effort for every single rep.”
Simmons is confident about the upcoming season and his leadership role.
“We have big dreams in our heads right now, big goals to accomplish, and we are really just gonna go out there and put everything on the line,” Simmons said.
Ish Showell is the CEO of Axe Sports, Simmons’ NIL group. The company represents professional, D1 and top high school athletes, helping players navigate and leverage NIL marketing opportunities. Showell’s team is helping Simmons take the next step as a starting quarterback.
“If Austin wants to be an incredible quarterback, like I know he’s going to be, it’s more than physical. He’s got all the physical ability in the world, right?” Showell said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “But a lot of it’s going to be mental. A mistake is inevitable. At some point he’s going to make a mistake. How quick can he bounce back?”
Senior engineering major Cade Slayden and junior marketing major Drew Wright attended the event.
“I think it’s awesome. It gets the fans involved and gives a chance to meet the new quarterback. It’s a new beginning for us,” Slayden said.
Wright added his thoughts about the meet and greet.
“We also think this is something that we knew, that we expected with him coming into this role and being involved on and off the field,” Wright said.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, recently drafted by the New York Giants, led the Rebels for the past three seasons with great success. He broke numerous school records, including surpassing Eli Manning’s as the winningest quarterback in Rebel football history. Dart left big shoes to fill and fans are wondering how Simmons will step into them.
“When he came in for the drive against Georgia (last fall), he opened a lot of people’s eyes and got him on the map,” Brady Birdsong, a senior marketing major, said. “I’ve had a lot of faith in him and I don’t think this program is going down at all.”
