BREAKING: Ole Miss Star Austin Simmons Stuns College Football World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $8.5 Million NIL Offer from Florida State, Texas to Remain with Rebels: ‘I Have No Plans Beyond Being an Ole Miss Rebels Champion’
In a shocking twist that’s shaking the foundation of college football’s new NIL era, Ole Miss quarterback phenom Austin Simmons has turned down a combined $8.5 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offers from powerhouse programs Florida State and the University of Texas, choosing loyalty over luxury and doubling down on his commitment to the Ole Miss Rebels.
“This isn’t just about money,” Simmons said during an impromptu press conference at the Manning Center, flanked by Head Coach Lane Kiffin and his teammates. “This is about legacy. This is about loyalty. I have no plans beyond being an Ole Miss Rebels champion — that’s my dream, and I’m living it right here in Oxford.”
The offers, confirmed by multiple sources close to both programs, were structured around high-profile commercial endorsements, media appearances, and performance incentives that would have made Simmons one of the highest-paid student-athletes in the country. The 19-year-old rising star, who led Ole Miss to a Sugar Bowl victory last season, was widely rumored to be on the radar of both schools as they looked to bolster their quarterback rooms heading into the new season.
But Simmons — calm, composed, and clad in his Rebels gear — silenced the speculation with one powerful word: “No.”
Coach Kiffin praised Simmons’ decision, calling it “a defining moment” not only for the program but for the future of college football.
“In a time when the game is changing, Austin just reminded us what it’s really about — heart, commitment, and team,” Kiffin said. “This kid just became a legend today.”
The reaction across the college football landscape was immediate. Analysts praised the young quarterback for his maturity, while Rebel Nation erupted in celebration across social media.
Simmons’ decision sends a strong message: not every athlete is for sale. With national title hopes growing and a core of returning stars, Ole Miss is now more dangerous than ever — and Simmons is poised to lead them not just with his arm, but with the kind of character that turns great teams into champions.
In a sport now defined by dollar signs, Austin Simmons just chose legacy over leverage, and in doing so, may have just written the next legendary chapter of Ole Miss football history
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