2025 4-star QB Austin Simmons is a multi-sport star with a long list of offers

Pahokee (Fla.) four-star quarterback Austin Simmons already has multiple suitors for his commitment. The 6-foot-2, 190 pound prospect has taken visits to Florida State and Louisville and holds offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Penn State and Vanderbilt among others.

He isn’t just talented on the gridiron, however. Simmons also pitches for Pahokee’s baseball program and plays travel ball with some of the best in the country and the talented left-hander can throw over 90 miles per hour.

“It’s not easy,” Simmons told On3. “I have to adjust (to) two different throwing motions. So I might play a football game. Next week, I might come back to throw in the bullpen. I might look a little bit off because I have a different type of release point coming from football to baseball. I could be throwing the bullpen session and be throwing completely different. It could be throwing like I’m throwing a football, so I just really have to adjust. It takes a couple days to adjust coming back to both sports. But I really competing and working hard at both.”

Simmons enjoys playing both sports, but at the moment, his “heart’s more in football.” However, the four-star has interest in being a dual-sport athlete at the next level. It is part of the reason he wants to visit schools with solid football and baseball programs including Arkansas, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

Playing quarterback and pitcher requires poise, leadership and stability. Those are responsibilities that Simmons embraces when he enters competition.

“I’m already known as like a true leader on the team,” Simmons said of playing football. “I basically can tell everyone what to do on one play and being a leader, it’s a big responsibility going into a football game. I can call out protection, make sure everyone knows the blocking schemes and the run game. Being a leader and being a big impact on the team is really a big deal for me.”

“I love pitching,” Simmons added about baseball. “I basically control the whole game. Having control of the tempo of the game is nice. I can slow down the game if I want to. Just controlling the whole baseball game is a really great feeling.”

Simmons has 19 offers to play quarterback on the next level. Most of those schools have offered to play baseball as well. Some who have offered only as a baseball prospect are Georgia Tech, Indiana, and Miami.

Simmons talks interest in ACC programs and contact with multiple schools

It is still early in Simmons’ recruitment, but he has already taken multiple visits. His first one was to Florida State.

Simmons went up to Tallahassee on Nov. 13, 2021 for the Seminoles’ game against Miami. Florida State defeated their in-state rival 31-28.

“It’s basically the tradition that stands out there,” said Simmons, the No. 64 overall prospect and No. 7 quarterback in the 2025 On3 Consensus. “The community surrounding the whole college, it’s a great feeling to be around. I felt so welcome going into the game. Multiple fans greeted me, welcomed me to Florida State. It’s a great feeling.”

Months later, the signal-caller headed to Louisville for an unofficial visit. His July 30 trip to the Cardinals still resonates today.

“The coaches greeted me at the door,” Simmons said. “I felt welcome there. The staff around the whole team, it seemed like (they were) really happy that I was there. Being a recruit at Louisville, it’s a great feeling.”

Simmons is also interested in Miami, another ACC and in-state program. Even though he hasn’t been offered by the Hurricanes (to play football) yet, Simmons visited Coral Gables during the spring and spoke to coaches from Miami’s football and baseball programs.

Throughout his recruiting process, Simmons’ father has gotten calls from multiple programs about his son. The schools who have contacted him recently include Arkansas, Florida State, Louisville, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

“It’s a great feeling, being noticed by multiple ACC, multiple Power Five schools,” Simmons said. “It’s a blessing, especially coming off last year only playing in seven games. It feels great.”

Simmons thrilled to see where his dual-sport journey leads

Simmons believes this year is critical for his college football career. The Florida native believes that if he has a strong junior season, it will create numerous opportunities and more contact with coaches.

As a result, he is working hard to hone his skills both on the field and on the mound.

“I believe my poise in the pocket is one of my biggest strengths,” Simmons said. “I might see a blitz. Most people might panic a little bit (when) they see the middle linebacker coming down and about to blitz. I just stay calm, audible the protection or just move my way to throw a good-timed ball. And also, my timing, it’s also one of my biggest strengths. And touch too.”

He also can throw quickly when playing baseball.

“I think my movement on my fastball is one of my biggest strength(s),” Simmons said. “Also being a lefty, that also comes to a whole bunch of movement.”

“My two-seam breaks like it’s a right-handed slider,” he added.

It is clear that Simmons has the talent to pursue both football and baseball on the next level. Now, it’s all about finding the right fit, and balance, for his college career.

“I’m really excited about it,” Simmons said. “I’m trying to figure out how this path’s going to go down into the future, trying to see what different types of opportunities I’m going to get from different schools. Seeing the new things, like going to different schools, seeing what they can really offer.”