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Former Four-Star QB Recruit With 5.34 GPA in High School Shares Major Personal News
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- Former Four-Star QB Recruit With 5.34 GPA in High School Shares Major Personal News
The Ole Miss Rebels are heading into 2025 with a focus on replacing star quarterback and first-round pick of the New York Giants , Jaxson Dart .
The All-SEC First Team selection started 38 games in Oxford, leaving behind an unproven quarterback room. Head coach Lane Kiffin added Division II All-American Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris State) and former three-star recruit Maealiuaki Smith (Oklahoma State) during the spring transfer portal window.
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However, redshirt freshman Austin Simmons, who has appeared in nine games as a Rebel, is the front runner to be Dart's successor. The former four-star recruit also happens to be a genius in the classroom, as he reclassified from the 2025 class to the 2023 class, graduating high school with a 5.3 GPA.
Simmons, who began his Ole Miss tenure at 17 years old, didn't take long to find academic success in Oxford. He took to Instagram recently to share that he has graduated, meaning he will be heading into what should be his freshman year of college with a bachelor's degree.
According to his profile on the team's site , his major is Multi-Disciplinary Studies , which allows students to combine three minors to form a degree. This now marks his second degree at just 19 years of age, as he came into college with an associate's degree.
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Aside from thriving in the classroom, Simmons has made the most of his appearances this past season. He finished the year with 282 passing yards and two touchdowns, while stepping up in a big way in the team's Nov. 9 upset win over the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs as he filled in for an injured Dart.
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons (13).Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
With Dart out, Simmons led the Rebels on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. Dart returned the following drive and finished out the game, but Simmons' line of 5-of-6 passing for 64 yards was crucial in helping the Rebels get the win.
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There's still work to do before a starter is named, but Simmons seems to be advanced beyond his years both on and off of the field.
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