In a world where most teenagers are beginning to step into planning their futures, Austin Simmons is already living his dream. And that, too, as an academic trailblazer, college pitcher, and Division I quarterback, all in one person. The Ole Miss freshman has stunned the sports world not only with athletic versatility but also with arm strength. He also has a rare intellectual drive that saw him graduate from high school and earn a college degree two years early. With a phenomenal father, motivating and mentoring, Austin is redefining what it actually means to be a student-athlete in the modern era.  

Everything we know about Austin Simmons’s father and mother

Austin’s journey to Ole Miss is deeply rooted in the influence and support of his family, especially his dad, David Simmons. He has been the cornerstone of his life and athletic development. He himself is a former athlete who played as a defensive back at SMU. And thus, he has a deep understanding of the game. He has taken an active role in managing Austin’s academic and training path, blending fatherhood with mentorship. And professionally, he is a practicing chiropractor. 

Austin Simmons’s rare dual-sport trajectory—excelling in both baseball and football while completing high school and college coursework early—has been significantly shaped by his father’s guidance. From reclassification strategies to film study sessions and athletic training, his father has played a central role in steering his development. In contrast, little is publicly known about his mother, who has chosen to maintain her privacy and remain out of the media spotlight, quietly supporting her son’s ambitious path. As such, Simmons’s rapid rise is largely attributed to his father’s influential presence and mentorship.

David is disputing national reports that Simmons reclassified from the class of 2025 to the class of 2023 to enroll at the University of Florida this fall. Austin’s father told The Post that reports suggesting his son’s reclassification were “not accurate.” And the 17-year-old is still a class of 2025 athlete and enrolled as a student at Moore Haven High School. The unwavering support and the mentorship pushing his growth certainly depict that behind every prodigy is a pillar. And for Austin, that pillar is clearly his dad. 

Austin Simmons’s early life and background

The jersey No. 13 was born in Miami and raised in the Sunshine State. Austin is not just any ordinary athlete; he is a sports phenom and a scholar molded from an early age. He grew up in a disciplined and structured environment where excellence was expected, rather than being optional. Austin started making waves at Pahokee High School before transferring to Moore Haven High School. 

He was a standout QB who broke school records and led Pahokee to a successful season before deciding to relocate. In 2022, he threw for 3,242 yards and delivered 24 TDs, which set a new school record that was previously set by NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin. He also led Pahokee to a 9-3 record and the regional finals of Florida’s 1R playoffs. 

Austin has always been on the fast track. At just the age of 12, he trained with NFL players. Furthermore, apart from his athleticism from early on, his academic hunger is what sets him apart. Austin completed his high school coursework with a jaw-dropping 5.34 GPA at just the age of 16. And left to enroll at Ole Miss two years prior to expectation. Before turning 17, he enrolled at Miami Dade College while still in high school, which earned him college credits. And by 17, he had earned both his associate degree and high school diploma—a feat that created headlines. 

In the context of sports, he is among the ones that recruiters dream of. The Ole Miss QB is a left-handed pitcher with a strong arm. He has the capacity to throw fastballs in the 90+ mph range. He is literally known as a dual-sport athlete, playing as a left-handed pitcher for the baseball team and also as a quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels. 

From these, it’s quite evident that his early life was packed with competition, juggling elite-level athletics and academics along with studying game tape with his father. From brain to brawn, Austin’s background screams “Built Different.”