Kirby Smart didn’t need long to explain why Missouri’s Austin Simmons has his attention.
Georgia is fresh off a big win at Ole Miss, the place where Simmons began his college career, and now the Bulldogs are getting ready to see him again - this time as Missouri’s starting quarterback in Athens next week. Smart was asked about the challenge Simmons presents, and he made it clear the Tigers’ quarterback brings plenty to the table.
“His accuracy, his arm strength, and his anticipation of throws. I am a big baseball fan, and he is an elite baseball player and pitcher,” Smart told reporters.
“His throws are different. They get there really fast.
He can whip it out. He can throw it anywhere.
I think we all saw the throw he made a couple of weeks ago over the middle. His touch, his timing.
He can do it all.”
Simmons’ first appearance in college came at Ole Miss, where he backed up Jaxson Dart before stepping in late and helping the Rebels finish off a 28-10 win in 2024. He went 5-of-6 for 64 yards in that game.
Smart also pointed to the pieces around Simmons at Missouri, saying the quarterback is operating in a system that makes the Tigers dangerous.
“He is in a good system with a tremendous arm with really good wideouts around him,” Smart said. “They have done a great job in the run game.
They have always done a great job in the run game. I have a lot of respect for him.
He came in against us and played with a lot of confidence there at Ole Miss.”
Georgia’s next task is avoiding the kind of letdown that bit them after a big road win, when they later lost at home to Auburn. Last week, the Bulldogs handled Trinidad Chambliss exceptionally well, holding him to the worst game of his career.
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