Austin Simmons entered Oxford with dreams of conquering two worlds. The talented athlete from South Florida could dominate from the pitcher’s mound one day and command the quarterback position the next. His freshman season on the baseball diamond put him squarely on MLB scouts’ radar, but everything changed with one devastating UCL injury in late April 2024. Now, guided by head coach Lane Kiffin and baseball coach Mike Bianco, Simmons has made the toughest choice of his young life.
How Did Austin Simmons Choose Football Over His Baseball Dreams?
Austin Simmons arrived in Oxford as a rare talent capable of excelling on both the baseball diamond and the football field. His first season as a pitcher showcased exactly why many believed he was destined for the MLB. Yet the heavy demands of balancing both sports, coupled with a UCL injury, forced Simmons to face what he called “the toughest decision I ever made in my life.”
Lane Kiffin recalled the first time he learned about Simmons’ potential.
“We were told about this young quarterback down in South Florida. They showed me his film and some drill work and I was really kind of blown away. It ended up to be Austin Simmons,” Kiffin said. “You just saw his background and maturity. It was like you were talking to a college kid already.”
Mike Bianco, who coached Simmons in baseball, added, “Coach Kiffin gave us a call over in baseball and let us know they were recruiting a quarterback from Florida that was also supposed to be a pretty good baseball player. We didn’t know much about him, but obviously it didn’t take long to figure out he was a pretty good pitcher.”
Simmons himself admitted his sporting journey began with baseball, though his heart was shaped by football from the start.
“My dad was a football coach, so I think my love for the game really grew for football early at such a young age, but initially I started playing baseball first,” he said.
What Made Balancing Two Sports So Difficult for Simmons?
The physical and mental toll of competing at the highest level in both sports eventually became overwhelming for Simmons.
“My freshman year in that spring, that was probably the toughest term of my life right there. Coming for practice in the morning either running or driving all the way to Field getting ready to play….it was just really stressful,” Simmons explained.
Both Kiffin and Bianco recognized that Simmons possessed the tools to be drafted in baseball, potentially in the first round. However, succeeding as a quarterback in the SEC demands intensive film study, mental preparation, and academic focus that left little room for maintaining excellence in two demanding sports.
The decision ultimately came down to where Simmons could make the biggest impact while staying true to his long-term goals.
MORE: Austin Simmons Reveals Sideline Conversation with Lane Kiffin in Big Injury Update
“Stepping away from baseball, that was the toughest decision I ever made in my life,” Simmons said. “That was like initially my first love, but I think it was the right decision for me and my family.”
The left-handed quarterback, once a rising MLB prospect, now finds his path centered entirely on leading the Rebels. His choice represents the sacrifice many elite athletes face when talent in multiple sports forces them to choose just one path to greatness.
