In a shocking twist, highly touted high school quarterback Austin Simmons has announced a major change in his college football plans.
Simmons, a four-star prospect ranked as the third-best passer in the Class of 2025 by Rivals, revealed on Saturday morning that he will be reclassifying into the Class of 2023 and changing his commitment from the University of Florida to Ole Miss.
Simmons, known for his exceptional talent and potential, has decided to skip his last two years of high school and enter college at the age of 17.
🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star QB Austin Simmons has flipped from Florida to Ole Miss and will reclassify to the Class of 2023🦈
Read: https://t.co/vEWaNbC2Iw pic.twitter.com/KbaLLd07xY
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 17, 2023
This unprecedented move has left fans, players and coaches astonished. The young quarterback’s decision to accelerate his academic and athletic journey has sparked curiosity about how such a jump was possible.
According to reports by Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, Simmons managed to complete all of his required high school classes as a freshman, boasting an impressive 5.34 GPA.
This remarkable achievement was made possible through homeschooling and online courses, allowing Simmons to finish his high school requirements at the age of 16.
Remarkably, he has already accrued 15 college credits, showcasing his dedication and academic prowess.
Instead of becoming Florida’s quarterback of the distant future, Simmons will join forces with Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels’ program has gained an unexpected gem, securing the talents of a young prodigy who has turned heads with his remarkable abilities on the field.
Adding another twist to his already eventful journey, Simmons transferred from Pahokee High School to Moore Haven Junior Senior High School earlier this year.
This unexpected move raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his future plans, ultimately leading to his surprising reclassification announcement.
Before his reclassification, Simmons held the distinction of being Rivals’ 156th overall recruit in the Class of 2025. His impressive statistics at Pahokee High School included throwing for 3,242 passing yards and 24 touchdowns last season.
Notably, Simmons broke a long-standing school record previously held by former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin, demonstrating his exceptional skills on the field.
Simmons’ early leap into the college football arena and commitment flip to Ole Miss have sent shockwaves through the sport.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my family and coaches, I have decided to reclassify into the Class of 2023 and commit to Ole Miss. This was a difficult decision, but I believe it’s the best path for my academic and athletic development,” Simmons said.
“I am grateful for the opportunities and support I received from the University of Florida, but I feel that Ole Miss is the right fit for me at this stage of my career.”
Needless to say, Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin was ecstatic to hear the news…
“We are thrilled to welcome Austin Simmons to the Rebel family. Austin’s talent and potential are undeniable, and his decision to accelerate his journey speaks volumes about his dedication and work ethic. We look forward to helping him develop and succeed both on and off the field.”
While Simmons’ situation is certainly unique, you have to wonder if we’ll be seeing more of this in the future – especially now that we’re in the world of NIL.