Ole Miss’ top quarterback targets in 2025 class are trending elsewhere/off the board. Now what?
George County (Miss.) quarterback Deuce Knight announced on Monday he was committed to Notre Dame. Then, over in Duncanville (Tex.), four-star prospect Keelon Russell is trending heavily towards SMU. Those two were the top names on the quarterback board for Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.
So now what?
Prior to Monday’s commitment, most insiders believed Knight was down to Auburn and Ole Miss with the Fighting Irish on the periphery. But, head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli did a fantastic job securing a verbal pledge from the Mississippi junior.
Russell has been prioritized by Rhett Lashlee, Casey Woods and the Mustangs for the last two years and he seems poised to join SMU’s 2025 class sooner rather than later. Duncanville is a Metroplex powerhouse and the four-star recruit has them off to an undefeated start.
Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons
Ole Miss has plenty of talent in the quarterback room, though.
Former 2025 quarterback turned Rebel true freshman Austin Simmons committed to Kiffin earlier this year after decommitting from Florida. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder was the No. 4 quarterback and No. 72 overall recruit nationally in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average which utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Then he reclassified to the 2023 class where he was ranked as the 265th overall prospect, the No. 18 quarterback and Florida’s 52nd-ranked recruit. A first-team all-state selection in 2022 at Pahokee (Fla.), Simmons possesses additional offers from Miami, Florida State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Penn State, Arkansas, Auburn and Louisville, among others.
“He has some Tua to him,” a Power Five offensive staffer said. “Really compact release. Spins the hell out of the football. Can throw the s—- out of the football. Not a freakshow athlete, but a good athlete. Super smart. Great physical ability and great intangibles. He’s really talented.”
Adding Simmons gives Ole Miss a fourth scholarship quarterback to go along with returning starter Jaxson Dart, Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and LSU transfer and former Class of 2022 top-50 recruit Walker Howard.
Dart impressed people around the program with his progression this spring and could be in position to leave for the NFL with a strong 2023 season. The plan for Simmons is for him to develop and then eventually compete with others such as Howard whenever Dart does depart for the NFL.
“It’s kind of like the Tiger Woods deal like with Tiger Woods’ dad and all,” a Power Five staffer said of Simmons. “That’s kind of the vibe that you get. The kid’s super mature, laser focused and tunnel vision with everything going on and the dad helps to keep him on track. But the kid does have some s—- to him, too, and he’s a good kid.”
2025 Ole Miss QB target Antwann Hill (Photo credit: Chad Simmons-On3)
Ole Miss could get back in the Antwann Hill sweepstakes.
The 6-foot-5, 205 pound recruit is the No. 5 quarterback in the On3 Industry Ranking and the Georgia’s 13th-ranked prospect. He already holds notable offers from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Penn State, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and North Carolina, among others.
Ole Miss staffers Dane Stevens and Charlie Weis, Jr., were leading the charge earlier this year before shifting their focus to Knight and Russell. Before this happened, Hill visited Oxford in the spring.
“I want a team that will showcase my abilities,” Hill said. “Someone who throws the deep, mid and short ball, quick to the perimeter and will coach me on how to read defenses faster and get through my progressions.”
Antwann Hill’s sophomore stats got everyone’s attention last fall.
The talented signal caller threw for 3,663 yards and 40 touchdowns for a 10-3 Houston County team which fell to Gainesville (Ga.) in the 6A quarterfinals in 2022. He says his skill set and what he does for his high school team will play a big role in who he seriously looks at moving forward.
“I want a team that will showcase my abilities,” Hill said. “Someone who throws the deep, mid and short ball, quick to the perimeter and will coach me on how to read defenses faster and get through my progressions.”
Ole Miss checks all the boxes for Hill there.
“We’re heavy RPO at Houston County so they tell me that they run a lot of that same scheme,” Hill said. “Last year we were quick tempo and they do that with (Quinshon) Judkins and (Jaxson) Dart. They throw it deep, work the perimeter and the screen game.”
2025 Ole Miss QB target Antwann Hill (Photo credit: Antwann Hill-Instagram)
Hill has plenty of suitors already but he is going to take his time when combing through all the offers. Including one from Deion Sanders and Colorado. The Buffaloes new coach has extended an offer to the Peach State prospect and the interest is there, for sure.
“I’m going to go with whoever is the best fit,” Hill said. “But I won’t be doing anything until my senior year. I need to see how programs develop their quarterbacks and what each room looks like.”
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