Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons is set to enter the transfer portal following a season that saw him start the year as the starter before suffering an injury. According to sources, Simmons lost his position to Trinidad Chambliss and intends to make the move official soon. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Friday that Missouri is the most likely destination for Simmons, who will enter the portal with a no contact tag, preventing other schools from reaching out to him.
Simmons is expected to remain with the Rebels throughout the College Football Playoff (CFP). The No. 6 ranked Rebels are scheduled to face No. 10 Miami in a CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2025, at 19:30 ET, as they aim for a championship run. As a graduate transfer, Simmons will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Should Simmons officially depart, Ole Miss will need to navigate a challenging quarterback situation for the 2026 season. The team is awaiting a decision from the NCAA regarding a waiver petition filed for Chambliss to secure a sixth season of eligibility. This petition was submitted on November 16, but the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement has yet to respond.
Chambliss had a standout season, passing for 3,660 yards and recording 21 touchdowns, along with 520 yards rushing and eight scores. He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting, significantly contributing to the Rebels’ success. After Ole Miss’s narrow victory over No. 3 Georgia in the CFP quarterfinal, Chambliss expressed hope for a timely decision from the NCAA.
Simmons started the season strong, leading the Rebels in their opener against Georgia State with a performance of 341 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a dominant 63-7 win. However, he suffered a left ankle injury in a subsequent game against Kentucky on September 6, resulting in Chambliss taking over the starting role. Over the remainder of the season, Simmons made only a handful of appearances, completing 60% of his passes for 744 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The Missouri Tigers are actively seeking a quarterback after Beau Pribula, the 2025 starter, also entered the transfer portal. Freshman Matt Zollers stepped into the starting position after both Pribula and Sam Horn faced injuries during the season.
As the transfer portal period approaches, Simmons’s decision will have significant implications for both Ole Miss and Missouri as they prepare for the upcoming seasons.
