Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons has signed a new deal to play for the Tigers in 2027, ESPN and On3 reported Friday, Nov. 6. The agreement covers his final year of college eligibility, but it does not stop him from entering the 2027 NFL draft once this season ends.
The timing stands out. Simmons is the No. 5 quarterback and No. 12 overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest Big Board, he turns 21 on Sunday, and he signed the deal one day before Missouri’s biggest game of the season against Texas.
What did Austin Simmons decide about 2027?
Simmons agreed to return to Missouri for next season, according to reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel and On3’s Pete Nakos and Hayes Fawcett. Thamel reported that the deal does not guarantee he will actually return. If his draft stock keeps rising, he can still leave for the NFL after the season. If he stays, Missouri already has its quarterback locked in.
Why would Simmons stay with NFL buzz growing?
His résumé is still short. He won the starting job at Ole Miss to open 2025 and won both games he started before injuring his ankle against Kentucky. Trinidad Chambliss replaced him and led the Rebels on a surprise College Football Playoff run, and Simmons never got the job back.
He transferred to Missouri and beat out three other quarterbacks for the starting job in March. If he left after this season, NFL teams would be judging him on two starts at Ole Miss and one year at Missouri. Simmons skipped two grades and enrolled at Ole Miss early, so he would still be only 22 if he entered the 2028 draft.
Stability may also matter. Coach Eli Drinkwitz has publicly said he is not a candidate for the Florida State job, and ESPN reported that most of Missouri’s top skill players have eligibility left for 2027, including receivers Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode.
What makes Simmons an NFL prospect?
Simmons is a natural lefty passer who has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in 240 attempts this season. Coming into Saturday, his 244 passing yards per game ranked fourth in the SEC. His former coach Lane Kiffin, now at LSU, has said he believes Simmons is a first-round pick. The athlete also played a season of college baseball at Ole Miss, where coach Mike Bianco said he could have been a high draft pick in that sport too.
What does the Simmons deal mean for Missouri?
Last winter, Missouri had to search for a new starter after Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal following one season. Signing Simmons this early lets the staff plan its 2027 roster around a known quarterback instead of going back to the portal. It also gives Simmons a clear choice to make in January.
How did Simmons play against Texas a day later?
Saturday at Faurot Field was supposed to be his showcase. He opened with a six-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brett Norfleet. Later, he hit Naeshaun Montgomery on the sideline, and Montgomery broke a tackle and went 72 yards to put Missouri up 20 to 13.
Then Arch Manning took over. The Texas quarterback completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, including the score that gave Texas the lead with just over five minutes left. A Missouri turnover set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Raleek Brown, and Texas won 34 to 20.
Simmons finished 23 of 43 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Missouri dropped to 6 and 3 overall and 3 and 3 in the SEC. The loss probably won’t change his draft value much, but it showed why another full season of SEC film could help him.
