A 5.34 GPA.
Yes, you read that right.
That’s what Austin Simmons, one of the nation’s top-ranked quarterback recruits, achieved during his high school career.
On Saturday, Simmons revealed he switched his football commitment from Florida to Ole Miss. He announced the move in a joint Instagram post with recruiting guru Hayes Fawcett.
Simmons originally committed in April to join the Gators as a member of the Class of 2025. He’ll now arrive at college two years early as a 2023 prospect after completing high school early. He expects to join the Rebels for OTAs next week.
Simmons gave insight into his decision to change schools on the “Coach Me Coach” podcast, explaining the natural connection he had with head coach Lane Kiffin and quarterbacks coach Charlie Weis Jr., who is the son of former New England Patriots offensive coordinator and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.
“Our relationship got really close while I was up there; started talking football,” Simmons said, “and shoot, I just felt like I could really develop over there, prepare for the next level.”
Who is Austin Simmons?
Austin Simmons is a four-star recruit from Pahokee High School in Florida, which borders Lake Okeechobee north of Fort Lauderdale. Last year, he threw for 3,242 yards and 24 touchdowns. He passed former Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Bolden’s school record for most passing yards in a season, according to the Palm Beach Post.
The 6’3″, 200-pound quarterback transferred to Moore Haven High School in April, but will not play a game for the Terriers. He also transferred in 2021 ahead of his varsity freshman year at Pahokee from Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, where he played as an eighth grader.
“I played with Anquan Boldin and Austin sees the field way better,” Pahokee coach Emmanuel Hendrix told the Palm Beach Post. “He’s not the athlete Anquan is but knowing the game and understanding the offense and having total control over the offense, he’s the best I’ve ever been around.”
Simmons also plays baseball and last season threw two no-hitters for Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores. He told the “Coach Me Coach” podcast that he plans on continuing baseball at Ole Miss, which won last year’s national championship, and will be a pitcher and outfielder.
How did Austin Simmons achieve his 5.34 GPA and move up to the Class of 2023?
Austin Simmons was homeschooled and finished high school by the age of 16 via online courses. He already completed 15 college credits as of August, per the Palm Beach Post.
On the “Coach Me Coach” podcast, he said he’s been able to jump ahead of his peers due to “accelerated learning.”
“Started my high school credits early, finished that when I was a freshman,” the now-17-year-old said, “and just started taking college courses in high school.”
He is on track to get his Associate’s degree this summer, so he could enter Ole Miss as a junior.
How will Austin Simmons fit into the Ole Miss roster?
Jaxson Dart led the Rebels last season with 2,974 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and they started 7-0 before stumbling to an 8-5 finish. Texas Tech beat Ole Miss 42-25 in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
With Dart entering his junior year, Lane Kiffin also has Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and former LSU quarterback Walker Howard as his options for the starter.
Ole Miss has produced several star quarterbacks, including Bo Wallace, Chad Kelly and Super Bowl winner Eli Manning.
