OXFORD | It’s finally game week for the 2025 Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss remains just five days away from returning to the gridiron, kicking off its fresh season at home against Georgia State. Saturday night will also mark the start of a new era for Ole Miss under center when 19-year-old quarterback Austin Simmons makes his first career start.
Although Simmons is about to achieve the latest milestone of his career in just a couple of days, he isn’t allowing the moment to get too big. Plus, he has parking spots to worry about again with a new school year underway.
“A little bit. I haven’t really put too much thought into it,” Simmons said about Saturday. “I really just thought about today being the first day of school. Just getting here early in the morning, just getting a parking spot, because everyone likes to be Johnny Scholar in the morning. Just being early and just showing up for my early morning meeting.”
It’s been well-documented that the redshirt sophomore usually keeps to himself, as Simmons frequently describes himself to be a ‘lowkey’ person away from the field. It’s also one of the reasons why Simmons won’t have an onslaught of guests to see his first career start this weekend.
“I choose to be lowkey. We’ll just have my mom, dad, grandmas and really just keeping everyone tight within the inner circle. Not having any outside noise or strays from distant friends (is important). Just keeping my mom, dad and grandmas close.”
“My dad has always been enforcing being the same person each and every day. Showing up and just being me,” Simmons added. “The same goes for the coaching staff here as well, especially with my family, they just expect me to be the same person on and off the field.”
Perhaps the biggest aspect Simmons has learned from transitioning into the starter this offseason has been ‘accepting everything’ that comes with being a starting SEC signal-caller, including all of the not-so-lowkey moments that come with it.
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“The biggest thing I learned is just really accepting everything that comes with the role. Definitely a lot of adversity, a lot of media talking about me — just a lot of outside noise that comes with being in this type of position. Really just learning how to handle it over time. I think that’s when spring football was the best time for me (learning), just stepping up into a different type of position.”
“Not being like the backup, but molding into being the guy. I’d definitely say that really prepared me very well, especially this offseason really accepting it and embracing it,” Simmons revealed. “Just keeping my inner circle so much closer to me and going to them whenever I need help.”
Simmons was able to appear in seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2024, completing 59 percent of his passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns to no turnovers. Not everything has been entirely new for Ole Miss’ young quarterback, but operating and preparing as the team’s starter obviously is.
Still, it’s among the areas Simmons believes he’s much-improved in.
“I’d definitely say I grew to be a better overall leader on and off the field. I’ve definitely seen a lot of progression over time managing the offense and driving down the field,” Simmons explained. “Doing certain plays that would hold up the tempo…but it’s been good overall.”
Sixth-year Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin offered his latest analysis and goal of the Rebels’ brand new starting quarterback, following Monday’s practice.
“I think Austin’s doing a really good job,” Kiffin noted. “He had a really good Saturday night, performing really well. We’re going to continue to emphasize — one of the reasons why we’ve had a really good record here and performed really is not just the offensive stats — it’s been taking care of the football at that position and doing a really good job at that. That’s, of course, a big emphasis — especially with a first time starter — (and) to make sure that’s the number one emphasis.”
Junior wide receiver Cayden Lee told reporters Monday he’s noticed Simmons trying to remain ‘mellow’ around the facility but, at the same time, has certainly seen him living in the moment as well.
Kickoff between Ole Miss and Georgia State on Saturday is set for 6:45 p.m. CT and will be available to watch on the SEC Network.