NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Replacing NFL talent and Austin Simmons following up a legend key concerns for Ole Miss Rebels entering 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Berry | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 2:45 PM ET

Last season was a roller coaster of emotions for Ole Miss fans. There were major highs with dominant wins over Georgia and South Carolina. Then, there were the incredible lows of losing to Kentucky at home and blowing the CFP chances away by imploding versus Florida.

Eight NFL Draft picks are gone and there's a new quarterback under center. But, call me crazy the optimism in and around Oxford, Miss., heading into the season is valid. There's a large amount of potential in Austin Simmons, the new guy at quarterback, and Pete Golding's elite unit from a year ago brings back a ton of contributors and some new faces as well.

Let's take a look at the biggest hurdles the Rebels must overcome in 2025 in order to get into the field of 12 in the College Football Playoff.

The Ole Miss defense had a ton of NFL talent on it a year ago. Now it will be littered with new faces.

Walter Nolen, Trey Amos, Pooh Paul, Princely Umanmielen, Jared Ivey, and JJ Pegues are all gone. Golding's unit was not only one of the best in the SEC but a Top 5 unit in the entire country. But, those dudes are gone now.

Up front is going to be the biggest ask for Golding and his staff. The good news is All-American Suntarine Perkins is back at linebacker. Likewise is returning starter and former Clemson linebacker TJ Dottery. There's continuity in the middle with those two and newcomers Princewill Umanmielen, Da'Shawn Womack, and Andrew Jones.

On the defensive line, though, it's going to be a whole new group. But, they're not all green. Zxavian Harris and Jamarious Brown both played a ton last season. Brown earned some Freshman All-American honors for his play. Two other youngsters who will be fan favorites by mid-season are Kam Franklin and William Echoles. Both have SEC-ready frames and defensive line coach Randall Joyner is VERY excited for them to be in the rotation.

It's always going to be difficult to replace an experienced group with NFL talent. But, the word around the Manning Center at Ole Miss is this coaching staff is bullish on the potential of this new-look defense.

You won’t find much better Knockback than #51 Zxavian Harris here in any given play. pic.twitter.com/4O40GqBrww
— Coach Cason (@Coach_Cason1) February 23, 2025

Jaxson Dart broke records and was taken in the first round. Now, it's Austin Simmons turn. How good can he be and how quick can he get there?

Everyone saw what Simmons looked like, in the rain, against a loaded Georgia defense. He had poise, moxy, and didn't flinch when his name was called. But, now he's the man and will have to lead an offense and a locker room in 2025.

There's a lot to like, to be honest. He has shown promise in mop up duty and has one of the livest arms out there. Everyone from Lane Kiffin to your least favorite talking head on AM radio has said there is a likeness to Tua Tagovailoa. The similar look and left-handed delivery is a gimme, but folks say it's the quiet confidence and chill demeanor that is truly the mirror image.

If Simmons can take what defenses give him, utilizing one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country, and handle the pressures of an SEC schedule, there's no reason this Ole Miss team shouldn't be on the periphery of getting into the CFP again.

Who will be the next breakout star at QB in the SEC?@PeterBurnsESPN says to keep an eye on Austin Simmons:

"19 years old, reminds me of talking with Tua (Tagovailoa)."

Full chat: https://t.co/odTh8mmcbn pic.twitter.com/PjDNGDSe8c
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) July 24, 2025

There was a struggle to run the football in 2024. But, the Rebels added Missouri's Kewan Lacy and Troy's Damien Taylor to go along with a returning and finally healthy Logan Diggs. If the run game can get better with a reshaped offensive line, Simmons will get more and more comfortable.

And despite an offseason injury and surgery, Arkansas transfer tight end Luke Hasz should eventually return to join breakout candidate Dae'Quan Wright. Those two along with Oklahoma State transfer De'Zhaun Stribling, Penn State transfer Harrison Wallace III, and returning star Cayden Lee give Simmons plenty of options when operating in Kiffin's offensive attack.

If Ole Miss can tackle these two huge obstacles this season, Rebel fans could be looking at hotels in December and possibly January.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: