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Austin Simmons Set to Take the Reins as No. 21 Ole Miss Faces Georgia State
The Ole Miss Rebels will begin life after Jaxson Dart on Saturday as redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons takes the reins in Oxford. After sitting behind the program’s all-time leading passer for two seasons, Simmons now has the chance to carve out his own legacy. Dart left behind gaudy numbers — more than 10,600 passing yards and 28 program wins — but Simmons is keeping his focus on the present. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is just accepting everything that comes with the role,” Simmons said this week. “A lot of adversity, a lot of media talking about me — just a lot of outside noise that comes with being in this type of position. Really just learning how to handle it over time. Not being the backup, but molding into being the guy.”
Simmons saw limited action in 2024, completing 19 of 32 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. While his game reps were few, sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin has confidence in his young quarterback. “I think Austin’s doing a really good job,” Kiffin said. “It’s not just the offensive stats. It’s about taking care of the football, and that’s the number one emphasis for him. He studies really hard. He had a great mentor in Jaxson, and we’re excited.”
Simmons’ 2024 season snapshot
| Games Played | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 19 | 32 | 282 | 2 | 1 |
Rebels look to build on recent success
Ole Miss enters the season ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25, marking the fifth consecutive year the program has been included in the preseason poll. The Rebels are also riding momentum from back-to-back bowl victories, the first time that’s happened since 2012-13. Still, expectations are tempered. Ole Miss was picked to finish seventh in the SEC preseason poll, a reminder of the uphill battle in college football’s toughest conference.
Kiffin has continued to emphasize balance and discipline, particularly at quarterback. With Simmons making his first career start, protecting the football and playing within the system will be crucial. The Rebels’ offensive line and returning playmakers are expected to ease the transition, but much of the spotlight will remain squarely on Simmons as he makes his debut as “the guy.” For fans tracking the matchup, NCAAF picks highlight Ole Miss as a clear favorite at home, though the Rebels know they cannot afford to overlook an upset-minded Group of Five opponent.
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Georgia State rebuilding but dangerous
The Georgia State Panthers arrive in Oxford as heavy underdogs, but the Sun Belt program has shown in recent years that it can rise to the occasion. With two SEC upsets in program history — against Tennessee in 2019 and Vanderbilt in 2024 — the Panthers won’t be intimidated. Still, second-year head coach Dell McGee faces a major rebuild after a 3-9 season that saw Georgia State finish last in the Sun Belt preseason poll. McGee added 77 new players in the offseason, blending 34 high school signees with 43 transfers from the portal.
Despite the roster overhaul, the Panthers do return two key offensive leaders. Quarterback Christian Veilleux threw for 2,047 yards across 10 games last year and will look to improve decision-making in his fifth season. Wideout Ted Hurst, who posted 961 yards and nine touchdowns, provides a reliable big-play target. McGee emphasized that execution, not scheme overload, will be key. “It’s all about decision making,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re playing clean football on the offensive side of the ball. We can’t ask too much of our quarterback.”
Georgia State’s 2024 offensive leaders
| Player | Position | Yards | TD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Veilleux | QB | 2,047 | 14 | Returning starter |
| Ted Hurst | WR | 961 | 9 | Deep-threat receiver |
| Marcus Carroll | RB | 722 | 6 | Physical runner |
Conclusion
Saturday’s opener between Ole Miss and Georgia State marks a new era for the Rebels, with Austin Simmons stepping into the starting quarterback role after years of waiting. Lane Kiffin’s program has stability, talent, and the momentum of consecutive bowl wins, but the game will be a test of how quickly Simmons can adapt to leading an SEC contender. On the other sideline, Georgia State arrives with little to lose, fielding a retooled roster but bringing back an experienced quarterback-receiver duo that could help them stay competitive. For Ole Miss, the challenge is to start fast and establish Simmons’ confidence, while the Panthers will look to play spoiler and add another SEC scalp to their history.
