Ole Miss flips reclassifying Gators QB Austin Simmons

Ole Miss continued to fill up its quarterback space this offseason with quarterback Austin Simmons announced that he would reverse his commitment from Florida to the rebels.

Simmons was the 77th-placed contestant in the 2025 class but said Saturday he would be reclassified to the 2023 class to enroll at Ole Miss this summer.

Simmons, a six-foot-tall, 190-pound recruit from Moore Haven, Fla., had been with the Gators since April but made the switch and is now joining a newly formed quarterback room. Coach Lane Kiffin added Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders and LSU transfer Walker Howard to compete with last season’s starter Jaxson Dart.

The Rebels didn’t have the passing attack the team was hoping for last season, with Dart, a transfer from USC, throwing for 2,974 yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Backup Luke Altmyer threw for 125 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and has since moved to Illinois.

The Ole Miss staff has not signed a high school quarterback in the class of 2023, and while it’s unusual for a prospect to be demoted two classes, Simmons may enroll this summer and compete with the other quarterbacks in the fall.

His withdrawal from Florida will of course affect the 2025 class, but the Gators will have time to fill that spot. The coaches lost a Jaden Rashada signing in the 2023 class but still signed ESPN 300 quarterback DJ Lagway for 2024.

Lagway is the #14 recruit overall and a five-star candidate in the 2024 cycle.