David Pollack Names First-Year SEC Starting QB Who is 'Absolutely Incredible'

"The Ole Miss coaching staff in that Georgia game when Austin Simmons came in and Jaxson Dart got banged up, first-round pick Jaxson Dart, they were over there on the headset like, 'Is Jaxson good?'" Pollack said. "They were looking at each other like, 'Did this dude just come in fresh off the pine and just run through Georgia's defense, convert a fourth down and made it look like it was scout team?' That was absolutely incredible."

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/49IJMhlhQNA

Simmons faces the challenge of replacing one of the top quarterbacks in the country from last season. Jaxson Dart completed 69.3% of his passes, amassing 4,279 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, while throwing only six interceptions. His exceptional performance earned him a selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

Simmons passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns, completing 59.4% of his throws during limited playing time last season. His significant moment occurred in the game against Georgia that Pollack mentioned.

Early in the game, Ole Miss was trailing 7-0, and Dart was out for a brief period while being checked for an injury. During this time, Simmons came in for one drive, completing 5-of-6 passes for 64 yards. He led a drive that culminated in a nine-yard touchdown run by Ulysses Bentley IV.

The only game in which he threw for five or more passes, apart from that specific matchup, was the opener against Furman. In that game, he passed for 111 yards and one touchdown, completing 43.8% of his attempts. Last year, Simmons did not display much mobility, as he only rushed for 14 yards with an average of 2.8 yards per carry.

Ole Miss and Simmons will start the season on Aug. 30 against Georgia State at 7:45 PM ET.