New Gators QB Pledge Austin Simmons: ‘I Can Just Be Me at Florida’
The Gators have landed their quarterback for the 2025 class with the commitment of Pahokee (Fla.) High two-sport standout Austin Simmons.
Simmons announced his decision to team up with UF just before noon on Tuesday, providing Florida with another signal-caller of the future to pair with star class of 2024 pledge DJ Lagway. Both have also committed to playing baseball for the Gators.
All Gators spoke with Simmons in-depth about his decision and what made UF the right fit for him. It begins with the coaching staff, particularly head coach Billy Napier and quarterbacks analyst Ryan O'Hara.
“Definitely the coaching staff, coach Napier and coach O’Hara,” Simmons explained.
“They just love quarterback play and I felt like I could really fit at [UF] and succeed at the best level of college football. And the tradition and opportunity to play both baseball and football at a high level. It’s the best opportunity I can get.”
Simmons flashes impressive tools at the quarterback position with a strong left hand, making it no surprise that he was a highly coveted prospect not just by Florida but by numerous schools across the country. The Gators staff sees Simmons fitting into their style of offense nicely.
“They feel like I can come in and be that guy, I can just be me at Florida," Simmons said. "I can show out at Florida like I [have] at Pahokee because there are a lot of similarities between the two offenses, so it’s something I’m used to. I can really show my talent with using my legs more and just throwing the ball with deep concepts, RPOs and stuff like that. I can really just come in there and fit.”
Napier has placed an emphasis on rebuilding Florida's quarterback room from scratch since his late 2021 arrival in Gainesville and the current trajectory suggests he's well on his way toward doing so. Lagway, a consensus five-star prospect, is set to enroll in Gainesville approximately nine months from now, with Simmons, a high four-star, in the class behind him.
Simmons is familiar with Lagway as the two met during campus visits in recent weeks. They have begun to develop a relationship and Simmons says he looks forward to competing with the fellow top-ranked passer.
“I spoke to DJ Lagway, he’s probably one of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met before," Simmons said. "I feel like the competition between us is going to be great. I just love competition and competing. I don’t want to just be given the starting job at UF, I don’t want to be given anything, I want to earn it. Just competing really puts an exciting feeling in me and I can go in there and just show my talent and earn it.”
Simmons provided All Gators a self-evaluation of what he brings to the table and what Florida fans should expect from the talented signal-caller once he arrives on campus.
“I’m not trying to boast myself, but I believe [UF] is getting a really good, balanced QB," Simmons stated. "I’m really working on improving more on my run game, using my legs more. I really like going on the board with my dad, coach O’Hara and coach Napier and talking football. But I feel like in the passing game my arm talent and my IQ is really going to show at Florida.”
Simmons will also have the rare opportunity to operate as a dual-sport athlete at the University of Florida when he arrives on campus. Recently offered by Kevin O’Sullivan and the baseball program, Simmons will compete on the gridiron and the diamond in orange and blue.
The luxury isn't afforded to most athletes when they leave the high school level, but two-sport stars appear to be the norm of quarterback talent Napier covets. Lagway is expected to follow the same path, and redshirt freshman quarterback Max Brown joined the baseball team this spring as well.
Simmons expressed his excitement about continuing his baseball career at UF.
“When I spoke to coach O’Sullivan on the phone, he said he was going to talk to coach Napier and with the tradition of two-sport athletes coming out of Florida, I feel like everything is going to go very smoothly. Coach O’Sullivan was really excited about it when I spoke to him.”
Simmons echoed that sentiment from O’Sullivan, as the opportunity to suit up in both sports was an ultimate selling point for the talented Palm Beach County product.
Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
Get your Gators football, basketball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.