BREAKING: Big-time 2025 QB Austin Simmons breaks down commitment to Florida

The Gators already hold a commitment from one of the highly-regarded 2024 quarterbacks in DJ Lagway. Now, a signal caller from the 2025 class has joined forces with Florida as well.

Moments ago, Pahokee (Fla.) four-star quarterback Austin Simmons announced his commitment to Billy Napier’s program. He also holds an offer from UF’s baseball program and is expected to play both sports in Gainesville, although football is the sport he will be on scholarship for.

A first-team all-state selection in 2022, Simmons possesses additional offers from Miami, Florida State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Penn State, Arkansas, Auburn and Louisville among others.

“What put Florida over the top was the coaches: coach Napier and coach O’Hara,” Simmons told Gators Online. “They really looked like they really understood quarterback play as soon as I walked in the building and sat down with them. Just building that connection and relationship with them, it just really brought that spark with Florida.

“Also, watching how they practice and perform on and off the field. Like, from the meeting rooms to the field grinding, ripping and ripping throughout the whole practice, is what made me really choose Florida. I definitely love the tradition over there too with football and baseball itself.”

Florida only needed two visits to seal the deal

It was just roughly 30 days ago when the Gators came forward with a scholarship offer for Simmons. That came after the top-100 prospect spent nearly an entire day with Billy Napier’s staff.

Then two weeks later, Simmons returned to campus for another up-close look at the program. He observed spring practice and loved the staff’s coaching style, while the Gators’ offensive attack is similar to the one he runs at Pahokee, so there is a certain level of comfort on and off the field.

All in all, the intensity and passion from Napier’s staff along with the atmosphere around Gainesville won Simmons over. Shortly after that visit, I submitted an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick as well.

“I started thinking long and hard about where I wanted to go, and then it was when I went back up there for the second time,” Simmons said. “I went up there and everyone had smiling faces. They really wanted to know me for me. They didn’t only want me on the football side, but they wanted to know me as a person and student as well.

“I kind of talked to my family about it, we discussed things, and I felt like Florida was the option last week.”

Is Simmons staying put in the 2025 class?

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Simmons ranks as the No. 9 quarterback and No. 96 prospect overall in the 2025 class.

However, there has been a whole lot of chatter regarding the possibility of Simmons reclassifying. And it would likely not be to the 2024 class, as the Sunshine State native is not even a junior yet and already has enough credits to graduate.

So, if Simmons does wrap up high school sooner than expected, he would likely graduate as a 2023 prospect. That means he would relocate to Gainesville sometime this year and be on the roster for the upcoming season.

“It’s a possibility, but I don’t know yet,” Simmons said. “I’m still talking to my family about it. I’m not really too sure about it and we are still talking about the pros and cons, but it’s a possibility.”

Simmons, who is the Gators’ first commitment in the 2025 class, is returning to Gainesville next Thursday for the Orange and Blue Game.

During his sophomore season, Simmons completed 163-of-242 passes for 3,161 yards and 24 touchdowns to nine interceptions. He was responsible for three rushing scores as well.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.