Missouri names a starting quarterback for 2026 season
Former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons transferred to Missouri earlier this year and has already been tabbed as the starting passer this fall.
After the conclusion of their 15-practice spring ball period, the Missouri Tigers have officially named Austin Simmons as the starter for the 2026 season, the school announced Thursday. Simmons transferred to Missouri in January after spending the first two seasons of his career at Ole Miss . The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder was in an open competition with sophomore passer Matt Zollers, who started several games in 2025 with starter Beau Pribula injured.
Once the season ended, Pribula decided to enter the transfer portal for the second straight offseason, eventually landing with the Virginia Cavaliers and opening up the Tigers' starting quarterback spot in the process. Simmons began the 2025 season as the Rebels' starter, throwing for 341 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the season-opener before injuring his ankle against Kentucky in the second game. In his place, Division-II transfer Trinidad Chambliss took over and blossomed, putting himself in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race and leading Ole Miss all the way to the College Football Playoff Semifinal.
NEW: Missouri has named Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons its starting QB for the 2026 season🐯 https://t. co/IzwVwBLF9N pic. twitter.
com/zkBSY5c261 — On3 (@On3) March 19, 2026 On his career, Simmons has completed 64 of 107 passes for 1,026 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He's also a viable runner, carrying the ball 27 times for 85 yards and a score. Though he isn't technically a first-time starter, Simmons will be given an opportunity to lead a Missouri team that harbors outside hopes of making their first CFP appearance come the 2026 season.