Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons has decided to enter the transfer portal, following a season marked by injury and competition for the starting role. After starting the 2025 season as the primary quarterback, Simmons lost his position to Trinidad Chambliss due to a left ankle injury sustained during a game against Kentucky on September 6. This news was confirmed by multiple sources to ESPN on Friday.
Simmons plans to enter the transfer portal with a no-contact designation, which prohibits other schools from reaching out to him during this process. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Missouri is expected to be Simmons’ next destination. He is anticipated to remain with the Rebels through the upcoming College Football Playoff, where they will face Miami in a semifinal matchup at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2025, at 19:30 ET.
As a graduate transfer, Simmons will have two years of eligibility remaining. His departure could compel Ole Miss to seek a new starting quarterback for the 2026 season, especially if the NCAA does not grant Chambliss a waiver for a sixth season of eligibility. The university submitted this waiver request on November 16, but a decision from the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement has not yet been made.
Chambliss had a standout season, passing for 3,660 yards and throwing 21 touchdowns, while also rushing for 520 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. His performance earned him recognition, finishing eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. Following the Rebels’ recent victory over No. 3 Georgia, Chambliss expressed optimism about the waiver decision, stating, “I think the NCAA is closed right now… I’m pretty sure they open [Friday]. So, hopefully we hear an answer soon.”
Even with a potential sixth season, Chambliss faces choices for his future, including joining former coach Lane Kiffin at LSU or exploring lucrative opportunities in the transfer portal. Simmons had a promising start to the 2025 season, throwing for 341 yards with three touchdowns in a decisive victory against Georgia State. However, his time on the field dwindled as he managed only 20 passes in the four games following his injury, completing 60% of his attempts for 744 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The quarterback situation at Missouri has shifted recently, as their 2025 starter, Beau Pribula, also entered the transfer portal. This has left the Tigers in search of a reliable quarterback to lead the team in the upcoming season. Freshman Matt Zollers stepped in as a starter this past season after both Pribula and Sam Horn were sidelined due to injuries.
With Simmons’ impending transfer and the shifting dynamics in collegiate football, both Ole Miss and Missouri face pivotal decisions that will shape their future seasons.
