Austin Simmons to Return to Missouri for 2027 Season
The Missouri Tigers quarterback intends to stay in Columbia for another year before entering the NFL Draft.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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Starting quarterback Austin Simmons plans to return to the University of Missouri for the 2027 season. This decision will delay his entry into the professional ranks until the 2028 NFL Draft.
Why it matters
A return allows Simmons to gain additional collegiate experience while leveraging the current name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape in college athletics. Staying at Missouri provides the signal-caller more time to develop before moving to the professional level.
Simmons has completed 63.2% of his passes this season, helping lead the Tigers to a 5-2 record. He currently ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and is tied for third in passing touchdowns.
The players
Austin Simmons
He serves as the starting quarterback for the Missouri Tigers and has become a top performer in the Southeastern Conference.
Eli Drinkwitz
He is the head coach of the University of Missouri football team who appointed Simmons as the starter.
Miami Dolphins
This professional NFL organization recently sent scouts to evaluate the performance of Missouri players at Farout Field.
The details
Austin Simmons is currently preparing for the final five games of the season while he and his family negotiate a return to the Missouri program. The star quarterback, who has earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors multiple times this year, was recently evaluated by Miami Dolphins scouts at Farout Field.
Timeline
In March 2026, Eli Drinkwitz officially named Austin Simmons the starting quarterback.
Austin Simmons is expected to remain with the Missouri program for the 2027 season.
The quarterback is currently projected to join the 2028 NFL Draft class.
The Big Picture
The player's decision follows the current NIL landscape in college athletics, which has fundamentally changed how top prospects evaluate their professional readiness. This shift allows elite talent to remain in school longer by balancing academic and athletic development with significant earning potential.
Fans in Columbia can expect stability in the offensive rotation for the coming seasons, solidifying the team's depth chart under center. The quarterback's continued presence provides a clear anchor for the team's statistical outlook and future offensive production.
The takeaway
Simmons appears to be prioritizing long-term development by opting for another season of collegiate competition. This trend highlights how players are increasingly treating the current NIL framework as a viable alternative to early entry into professional football.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Football section.
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