Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons is currently in the middle of his busiest month of the year, even though college football is played in the fall. The 18-year-old freshman is currently participating in his first spring practice period with the Rebels while also starring for the baseball team as a pitcher.
He’s a freak in the best way possible!
Simmons, born in Nov. 2005, was originally committed to play for Florida in the Class of 2025. However, because he was home schooled through online classes, he was able to finish his high school courses as a 16-year-old freshman and graduated with a 5.34 GPA.
Not long thereafter, Simmons announced his decision to essentially skip two grades, reclassify to the college football recruiting Class of 2023, and flip his commitment to Ole Miss as a two-sport star.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman did not play last fall took a redshirt year but continuously dazzled the coaching staff with his left arm during practice. Lane Kiffin loves his potential and it’s not hard to see why!
Speed kills ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/eUkqtzVPjy
— JJ Henry. (@jjxenry) December 27, 2023
Now, after ending his freshman football season with a win in the Peach Bowl, Simmons is dealing on the diamond. He holds a 1.29 ERA with two wins, eight strikeouts and just three walks in seven innings through the first five appearances of his freshman baseball season. He pumps low 90s with his fastball!
The was very busy as Simmons split time between the gridiron and workouts with the baseball team. The offseason was not an offseason because his focus immediately shifted toward the diamond.
These next six-ish weeks will be the most insane.
Ole Miss football began spring ball on Wednesday morning and Simmons was with them.
He was back on the bump less than 12 hours later. Simmons recorded two strikeouts and allowed one unearned run in one inning of action against the Memphis Tigers.
From practice this morning to throwing strikes tonight. #KeepGoing @austnsimmons https://t.co/LhhzrN5TSp pic.twitter.com/lokha1mgfP
— Kelvin Bolden (@_kbolden) March 7, 2024
Kiffin and head baseball coach Mike Bianco have worked together on how to handle two-sport athletes in the past. The Rebels have become one of the premier destinations for top recruits who want to play both baseball and football.
Simmons poses a unique challenge because his arm is his best tool. Bianco and Kiffin are taking it day by day!
He didn’t throw a ton today (at spring practice) knowing we play tonight and a high chance he’d pitch. I think as we get closer to conference play and although he’s been super valuable out of the pen, we’ll see going forward what that looks like for them and us. I’ve talked to Coach Kiffin and he said to go use him and do what you need to do. Everyone is mindful of that.
— Mike Bianco
Austin Simmons is a stud. Both as a quarterback and as a pitcher.
It will be very interesting to see how Ole Miss handles his future in both sports!