Pete Thamel buzzing with intrigue about Ole Miss, Austin Simmons in 2025

ESPN’s Pete Thamel is buzzing with intrigue about Ole Miss due to quarterback Austin Simmons this spring. The talented lefty could be a star in the making under Lane Kiffin.

As a freshman in 2024, Simmons had a few game appearances and finished 19-of-32 passing for 282 yards and two touchdowns. With the way he’s slinging it, Simmons could explode onto the scene.

That’s what Thamel sees in Simmons, a multi-sport athlete. After giving up baseball and now fully focused on football, Simmons could be the next QB positively affected by Kiffin.

“I am very interested in Austin Simmons,” Thamel said on The College GameDay Podcast. “A lefty who is just dripping with talent. He’s the first in my memory, I’m sure somebody’s done it, early-early enrollee, right? He went two classes early and (is a) talented baseball player as well, though he’s given that up. 

“And every spring there’s a darling, a buzz guy, somebody that’s blowing everybody away and Austin Simmons, the Ole Miss quarterback is projected to start, is that guy. Obviously, Lane Kiffin is one of the best play callers in the sport. He’s one of the most deft quarterback tutors in the sport. There is a fascinating tension at Ole Miss of ‘they’ve been very good but not good enough to make the playoff.’ Can he be the guy that pushes them through? I am compelled by Oxford right now.”

Thamel isn’t off though. Simmons moved up classes and is currently 19 years old and already has his bachelor’s degree completed, as On3’s Andy Staples pointed out. The maturity level as he pursues a masters degree this fall is staggering.

“I’ve got the little hype going,” Simmons said to Staples. “Now I’ve just got to go out there next season and perform.”

As a member of the Class of 2023, Simmons was a four-star recruit out of Pahokee (Fla.) Moore Haven Junior/Senior, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 52 overall prospect in the state, the No. 19 quarterback in the class and the No. 266 overall prospect in the class.

Can Simmons be the quarterback to lead to the College Football Playoff? He might be the guy to finally do it as Kiffin has been successful during his time in Oxford. But they’re looking for that next step and 2025 will be the proving grounds.