In a surprising turn of events, Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons is reportedly set to enter the transfer portal, as confirmed by sources to ESPN. Simmons, who kicked off the 2025 season as the starting quarterback, suffered an injury that led to Trinidad Chambliss taking over the position. Now, it appears Simmons is looking for new opportunities elsewhere.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Missouri is emerging as a potential destination for Simmons. Interestingly, he is entering the transfer portal with a no contact tag, which means that other colleges are not allowed to reach out to him at this time.
Before making any immediate decisions, Simmons is expected to stay with the Rebels during their run in the College Football Playoff. The No. 6 ranked Rebels will face off against No. 10 Miami in a semifinal match at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8th, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Hailing from Miami, Simmons is set to become a graduate transfer, boasting two remaining seasons of eligibility, which could be significant for his next move.
The news of Simmons' exit might compel the Rebels to seek a new starting quarterback through the transfer portal for the upcoming 2026 season, particularly if the NCAA does not approve Chambliss' request for a sixth year of eligibility. Ole Miss submitted this waiver on November 16, yet they are still awaiting a response from the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.
This season, Chambliss showcased impressive skills, throwing for 3,660 yards and recording 21 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 520 yards and scoring eight touchdowns, earning him eighth place in Heisman Trophy voting. "I believe the NCAA is currently closed," Chambliss remarked following Thursday's thrilling 39-34 victory over No. 3 Georgia in a CFP quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. "I'm optimistic that they will reopen on Friday, so we should hear back soon."
Even if Chambliss receives approval for another season, he could potentially reunite with former coach Lane Kiffin at LSU or explore the lucrative options available in the transfer portal.
During the current season, Simmons started the Rebels' first game against Georgia State, where he impressively threw for 341 yards, achieving three touchdowns and two interceptions in a dominant 63-7 win. However, his season took a turn when he sustained a left ankle injury during a tightly contested 30-23 victory against Kentucky on September 6.
Following his injury, Simmons was replaced by Chambliss, who transferred from Ferris State, marking the beginning of Chambliss' consecutive starts, totaling twelve games this season. After his injury, Simmons made only 20 passing attempts across four games, completing 60% of those passes for a total of 744 yards, alongside four touchdowns and five interceptions.
On the other hand, Missouri has been on the lookout for a quarterback after their 2025 starter, Beau Pribula, opted to enter the transfer portal. Freshman Matt Zollers stepped up as the starter after both Sam Horn and Pribula faced injuries during the season.
