The Ole Miss Rebels program was devastated by the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin, who accepted the same role with the LSU Tigers despite the Rebels making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
Still, the Rebels managed to overcome Kiffin’s departure and pulled off an impressive upset over the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night, punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took the Bulldogs by storm in the Sugar Bowl, throwing for two touchdowns and 362 passing yards, while making multiple video game-esque plays.
Chambliss’s performance may have played a role in another quarterback on the Rebels’ roster deciding that it’d be in his best interest to move on from the program.
“NEWS: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per an ESPN source. He’s entering with a no contact tag, with Missouri as the favorite to land him. He’s expected to stay with Ole Miss through the CFP,” reported ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday.
NEWS: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per an ESPN source. He’s entering with a no contact tag, with Missouri as the favorite to land him. He’s expected to stay with Ole Miss through the CFP. pic.twitter.com/z7B6jaNhz6
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 2, 2026
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Perfect for Mizzou IMO. Likely cheaper than other options. Could be a bridge to Zollers or just be the guy if Zollers leaves or doesn’t develop like we expect,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Extremely talented player, let’s hope the staff can get him going,” one Missouri fan added.
“Going to be a heck of a get for someone. Not too many kids I’ll be rooting harder for next year,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see what other moves shake up teams still competing for the national championship.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.