Missouri has re-signed quarterback Austin Simmons for the 2027 season, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, locking in stability at the most important position on the field before what could become a hectic offseason in the transfer portal.
Simmons began the 2025 season as the starting quarterback at Ole Miss, but he lost the job to Trinidad Chambliss and transferred to Missouri in the offseason. Through eight games, he has been an excellent fit and has the Tigers in the mix to reach the College Football Playoff.
In his first season as a Tiger, Simmons has completed 63.3% of his passes for 1,952 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions. It helps that he is surrounded by some of the best weapons in the SEC, as Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode rank among the conference's top eight receivers.
That trio has powered a passing offense that ranks fourth in the conference at 257.1 yards per game and 26th in EPA per dropback at 0.19. The aerial attack has been the biggest driver of Missouri's offense this season, and that should remain the case in 2027.
With Simmons guaranteed to remain in Columbia, Missouri can start getting its ducks in a row for portal season. If the Tigers play their cards correctly, they could be a force next fall.
Particularly on the offensive side of the ball, Missouri should have a chance to retain most of its production. Getting the quarterback, presumably the most expensive player, locked in will help the Tigers gain cost certainty as they look to re-sign other players.
The top priorities will obviously be the wide receivers. Olugbode, who has 584 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, is only a sophomore and will play at least one more college season, so Missouri needs to make sure he does not go anywhere. Lee leads the SEC in receiving yards but is a senior who could chase his NFL dreams. If he uses that fifth year of eligibility, there would likely be plenty of interest from other teams, and he might be expensive to re-sign, though it would be worth it based on what he has done with Simmons so far.
The running back situation is similar. Jamal Roberts leads the SEC with 1,005 rushing yards and could make the jump to the NFL. Ahmad Hardy could do the same, but he may want to prove to NFL scouts that he is fully healed from the gunshot wound he suffered earlier this year. If Missouri could keep at least one of those players, it would be a great sign for the 2027 offense.
Where the Tigers may need to do some work in the portal is along the offensive line. Missouri has several fifth-year seniors on the interior, and true senior Cayden Lee could be a 2027 NFL Draft pick at left tackle. If the Tigers lose all of those players, they will have to go portaling, but at least inking Simmons to a new deal now will help the team develop a game plan for rebuilding the offensive line.
Perhaps most importantly, having a talented quarterback like Simmons makes Missouri an appealing spot for current players and prospective portal additions alike. While other teams are bound for a shake-up behind center, Missouri has a proven commodity at quarterback, and that is something Eli Drinkwitz will be able to pitch.
