Everyone expected Shedeur Sanders to be the headline quarterback in the 2025 draft season. But the New York Giants had other plans, trading up to snag Jaxson Dart instead. And it wasn’t some wild gamble either. The QB had everything Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin would have wanted in their QB. Exceptional arm talent? Check. Lethal dual threat ability? Check. Chemistry with Kiffin and the receivers? Check. But now, with Dart gone, the spotlight shifts to Austin Simmons. Can the successor, who is widely touted to start for Ole Miss this season, rise to the occasion?
Dart passed for more than 4,279 yards last season, along with showing his rushing prowess with nearly 500 yards. But the QB was more than just a player at Ole Miss. His leadership became apparent game after game as Ole Miss straight up decimated powerhouses like Georgia in a massive upset. But in that game, a little-known backup QB also made his appearance as he completed 5 of the 6 passes he threw and earned a 99.6 QB rating by ESPN.
Well, yes, we are talking about Austin Simmons, the 2023, 4-star rated QB prospect who acted as Jaxson Dart’s deputy in 2024. Now with keys in his hand and pressure on his shoulder, he has to prove his worth in the game. In the limited snaps the QB saw, he still threw for 282 yards along with 14 yards for 2 touchdowns. Safe to say, the 6’4″ and 215 lbs QB is undoubtedly talented, as was apparent from that Georgia game; nevertheless, he will be throwing to a relatively new receiving corps. Austin’s case also becomes interesting as he is still untested in the rigors of the SEC.
Ari Wesserman of ON3 asked a similar question about the mentality and changes “going into the off-season“. Simmons, however, didn’t look too worried.”I don’t think it really changed much. Really, I know exactly how good I was before that Georgia game even happened. It was just a matter of time, whether or not I was going to Showcase or not, but hey, that game happened, and it’s been happening. So, here I am. I got a little high going. I just got to go out there next season to perform.”
Well, the QB’s quiet confidence is convincing. He doesn’t seem worried about the pressure of living up to Jaxson Dart’s standards. The talent that Austin has will surely help him in exceeding expectations. While we haven’t seen too much of the QB behind center at Ole Miss, his high school career is a testament to his talent. The QB playing for Moore Haven High School, Florida, broke the NFL WR’s Anquan Boldin’s high school record and passed for 3,242 yards in a single season, for 24 touchdowns in 2022. Even in his recruitment process, he was a highly sought-after prospect. After he finally decommitted from Florida in June 2023 and enrolled for the Rebels in 2023. The stage is set, and the player has every chance to successfully step into Dart’s shoes. Now it is just a matter of time to analyse how he navigates that.
Austin Simmons’ QB spot gets another addition
The quarterback position this year at Ole Miss not only has Simmons but several other players in the pipeline. But in terms of experience? Well, this is where things get tricky, as recent Ferris State transfer, Trinidad Chambliss, also comes with no apparent experience. Moreover, AJ Maddox, the depth piece, also hasn’t seen any snaps yet at Ole Miss. So, to counter this problem, Lane Kiffin has finally brought a reliable deputy for Austin Simmons.
On3’s Pete Nakos announced on May 6th the arrival of Maeuliuaki Smith from Oklahoma State. Nakos posted the update on his X account.
BREAKING: Oklahoma State transfer QB Maealiuaki Smith has signed with Ole Miss, @PeteNakos_ reports
Smith tossed for 489 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. https://t.co/TwubGv61BH pic.twitter.com/hQM676Gu46
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) May 6, 2025
With this transfer, Austin Simmons and Lane Kiffin are getting a player who has some experience and talent, too, as he passed for 489 yards last year for 2 touchdowns. Sure, it would be a stretch to say that he will challenge Austin Simmons; however, if he puts some jaw-dropping performances in 2025? Don’t be surprised if the conversation shifts towards a possible QB competition.
The post Austin Simmons Makes Feelings Clear on Succeeding Jaxson Dart After Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Move Puts Him on High Alert appeared first on EssentiallySports.