Is Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons at Fiesta Bowl after reported signing with Missouri?

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GLENDALE, AZ – Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding is leaving the Fiesta Bowl availability of players in the transfer portal up to them.

Ultimately it's up to Golding, but he said he's evaluating their actions as the Rebels (13-1) prepare to face Miami (12-2) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m., ESPN).

"I think every case is individual of its own," Golding said Jan. 3. "So, I think we've got a lot of guys that have done the same thing the entire time, like hey, we'll finish this 2025 season out the right way and finish what we started."

Backup quarterback Austin Simmons is the most important Ole Miss player in the transfer portal. He entered the season as Ole Miss' starter and signed with Missouri, per media reports Jan. 6. If Trinidad Chambliss is hurt early in the game, having Simmons in reserve would give Ole Miss a fighting chance.

He led the Rebels to a 2-0 record to start the season against Georgia State and Kentucky. He combined in those games to be 33-for-55 passing for 576 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Evaluating Golding's criteria, the arrow seems pointed up for Simmons' availability. He participated in the Rebels' Fiesta Bowl game practice on Jan. 4 in Oxford.

"So those individuals, obviously, that want to finish what they started are going to do that and have every opportunity, like everybody else is going to in their five‑day window whenever our last game is, to make decisions in their best interest," Golding said.

Golding has related the importance of having Simmons available to a situation he experienced at Alabama in the 2018 SEC championship game. After Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts had been benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa the previous season, Hurts subbed in for an injured Tagovailoa and led the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind win.

Golding was the defensive coordinator on that team. That story of staying available has resonated with Simmons since his ankle injury in Week 2 cleared the way for Chambliss to take a job he never relented.

"It's been a meaningful year," Simmons told the Clarion Ledger on Dec. 30 before the Sugar Bowl. "It's been a legendary year for this program. For me, it's really helped me learn a lot about myself."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Is Austin Simmons still playing for Ole Miss after Missouri signing?

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