Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons makes major admission about comparisons to Tua Tagovailoa

A new NCAAF season is in the works, with many programs aiming to go as far as possible. Austin Simmons is emerging as a potential starter for the Ole Miss Rebels, and many have dared to compare the quarterback to his Miami Dolphins counterpart, Tua Tagovailoa.

Regarding this situation, Simmons himself addressed those comparisons in recent statements to the press, referring to the remarks that liken his playing style to that of the former Alabama player, who once led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship victory.

“I’m really just a me-guy, honestly,” Simmons said on The Paul Finebaum Show.” I just focus on myself. People will often compare me to Tua or Michael Vick. … Only certain quarterbacks that [I] could really watch that I could really translate my game to. But overall, people just say I look like Tua from Alabama, for some reason.”

He also spoke about how strange it was for him to face these comparisons so early on, given that they started when Simmons was just beginning his high school career.

“That’s been an entire life type of thing,” he said. “I’ve been compared to Tua since I was in middle school, and that’s been kind of weird to me.”

Carrying on Jaxson Dart’s legacy

Lane Kiffin’s Rebels had an impressive season last year, led on the field by the talented Jaxson Dart. His next step seemed inevitable, as he declared for the NFL Draft. The New York Giants ultimately chose to secure his services, leaving the starting quarterback spot at Ole Miss wide open heading into the upcoming campaign.

In light of this situation, all eyes turned to Austin Simmons, who has been identified as the potential successor to the now new teammate of Russell Wilson in the Big Apple. Addressing the growing attention, the new signal-caller under Lane Kiffin shared his thoughts on the matter.

“I’ve got the little hype going,” Simmons told On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman on Andy & Ari On3 last month. “Now I’ve just got to go out there next season and perform.”