Could Austin Simmons Help Mizzou Land a Game-Changing Receiver?
Austin Simmons hasn’t been at Missouri long, but he’s already making noise - and not just with his arm.
The former Ole Miss quarterback, who just transferred to Mizzou, is wasting no time getting involved in the Tigers’ future. Just yesterday, he chimed in on social media in response to Louisville transfer CJ Mays hyping up Missouri’s facilities.
Hours later, Mays committed to the Tigers. Coincidence?
Maybe. But now, Simmons might be working his recruiting magic again - this time with a name that could make a real splash in Columbia.
Cayden Lee, a proven wide receiver from Ole Miss, entered the transfer portal at the eleventh hour. And within minutes, Simmons dropped a subtle but telling smiley face on social media. No words, just a quiet signal - but in today’s world of cryptic digital recruiting breadcrumbs, that emoji spoke volumes.
Simmons and Lee go way back. They were teammates in Oxford for two seasons, and by all accounts, their bond runs deeper than just football.
“I feel like me and Austin’s relationship goes beyond the football field,” Lee said. “We’re like best friends.”
Simmons echoed the sentiment: “It’s always been close since I enrolled. We’ve just gotten so much closer over time.”
The connection is real - and it’s strong. Now the question is whether that off-field friendship could turn into an on-field reunion in Columbia.
What Lee Would Bring to the Tigers
Let’s be clear: Cayden Lee isn’t just another name in the portal. He’s a proven playmaker.
Over three seasons at Ole Miss, he racked up 106 catches for 1,623 yards and seven touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t just walk into your locker room every day.
If he were to join the Tigers, Lee would instantly become one of the top targets in Missouri’s offense - and possibly the top target. The Tigers have already added some intriguing pieces at wide receiver this offseason, including Horatio Fields from Auburn and Caleb Goodie out of Cincinnati. But with nearly all of last season’s top pass catchers gone, there’s still plenty of room - and need - for someone with Lee’s experience and skill set.
He’s not just a volume guy, either. Lee has the kind of versatility and route-running polish that can open up the field for everyone else. He’s a technician with the ball in his hands and a reliable option in pressure moments - exactly the kind of player a new quarterback like Simmons would want lining up wide.
The Power of Familiarity
There’s a reason coaches love bringing in players who already have chemistry. It shortens the learning curve, builds trust, and can elevate an offense in a hurry.
Simmons and Lee already speak the same football language. They’ve built timing, trust, and a rapport that can take months - or even years - to develop with new teammates.
That kind of built-in connection is a luxury, especially for a quarterback settling into a new system.
And while Lee is likely to draw interest from plenty of top programs across the country, don’t underestimate the power of relationships in the transfer portal era. Sometimes, the best recruiting pitch isn’t a coach or a campus tour - it’s a teammate who knows exactly what you bring to the table and wants you by his side.
What’s Next for Mizzou?
Whether or not Cayden Lee ends up in Columbia, one thing is clear: Austin Simmons is already stepping into a leadership role for the Tigers. He’s not just coming in to compete - he’s helping shape the roster. And if he can help land a playmaker like Lee, Missouri’s offense could be looking at a serious upgrade heading into next season.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see where Lee lands. But if that smiley face was any indication, Simmons might already be working behind the scenes to bring one of his closest friends - and one of the portal’s most productive receivers - to Faurot Field.