Lane Kiffin is officially in charge at LSU, and he's wasting no time putting his stamp on the program. The first major order of business? Finding the quarterback who’ll lead his offense into this new era in Baton Rouge.
And if you're reading the tea leaves, one name stands out: Austin Simmons.
Simmons was once Kiffin’s handpicked quarterback at Ole Miss, a player the coach spent two years grooming to run his system. But an early-season injury opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss, who seized the opportunity and never looked back. That left Simmons on the outside looking in - and now, potentially, on the move.
With the transfer portal wide open and Kiffin now rebuilding at LSU, a reunion between coach and quarterback is more than just a fun storyline - it’s a real possibility. Simmons is a known commodity for Kiffin.
He knows the playbook, understands the rhythm of the offense, and has already earned the trust of the coach. That kind of continuity could be invaluable as Kiffin tries to hit the ground running in a new program.
But Simmons isn't just a quarterback with a past connection - he's also a standout baseball pitcher, which adds another layer of intrigue to his potential move. LSU has a rich baseball tradition, and Simmons could be a two-sport contributor if everything lines up. That’s the kind of versatility that could make Baton Rouge an even more appealing destination.
There’s another angle here that might be even more impactful: the ripple effect. If Simmons heads to LSU, he might not be coming alone.
Reports suggest that his move could open the door for other Ole Miss players to follow. And that’s no small thing - this was a Rebels roster that made it to the College Football Playoff.
If even a handful of those contributors decide to join Kiffin in purple and gold, LSU’s rebuild could turn into a reload.
Of course, Kiffin will be casting a wide net in the portal. He’s not going to build his new roster on familiarity alone. But starting with someone like Simmons - a quarterback he knows, trusts, and believes in - could give LSU a strong foundation as they transition into this next chapter.
The pieces are moving quickly in the college football transfer world, and Kiffin’s LSU era is already shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines of the offseason. Keep an eye on Simmons. If he makes the jump, it might just be the first domino in a much bigger shift in the SEC landscape.