Sports

Unbeaten Mississippi Pitcher Quits Baseball To Replace Football Team’s All-Time Leading Passer

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by Last Updated
Ole Miss Rebels pitcher Austin Simmons on the mound.

Bruce Newman/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK


The Ole Miss baseball team is losing a key piece of its pitching staff, coach Mike Bianco confirmed on Sunday. Austin Simmons is putting his career on the diamond on hold in order to pursue football fame.

The left-hander is set to replace Jaxson Dart under center on the Rebels football team this fall. He’s chosen to focus fully on the gridiron as opposed to pulling double duty.

Simmons played both sports in 2024, seeing notable action with each squad. As a pitcher, he posted a 2-0 mark out of the bullpen while recording a 3.21 ERA and holding opponents to a team-best .173 batting average.

On the football field, he provided a crucial spark for the Rebs during a heavyweight bout versus Georgia. Dart briefly went down with an injury against the Bulldogs. Simmons came in to lead a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Ole Miss later won, 28-10. Simmons finished the year with 282 yards on 19-32 passing.

He’d intended to do the same again in 2025, but he’s since reverted back on that decision. “I’m pretty positive that I’ll be back to playing at Swayze [Field] next spring,” he was heard saying in September.

On Sunday, the Ole Miss baseball team provided an update. “After having a conversation with Coach Bianco, Austin Simmons is no longer on the baseball roster so that he can concentrate on playing football.”

Simmons is expected to be the starting signal caller in 2025. He’ll have big shoes to fill if that is the case.

Jaxson Dart is leaving Oxford as the program’s all-time leading passer. His 10,617 yards topped previous record holder Eli Manning. Simmons showed flashes of his abilities in limited action last year. His role is expected to grow as the Rebels pursue their fourth 10-win season in five years.

There were a variety of factors that likely went into the change of heart. One is obviously the opportunity to lead Ole Miss on the football field. Given the year-long commitment needed to excel in the QB1 role, it will be beneficial to practice throughout the spring as opposed to taking a pause to play baseball.

Second is the fact that his ”24 season was cut short with a UCL injury suffered on the mound last year. He’ll now reduce the risk of a setback to his throwing arm before taking over the starting job. That’s a huge win for Lane Kiffin.

Ole Miss’s QB battle will begin soon. Simmons is the clear frontrunner. He’s now on the fast track to land the starting role in ’25. The Rebels kick off their campaign against Georgia State on August 30th.