Charlie Campbell
Georgia 48, Missouri 21
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Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons turned himself into a quarterback prospect for the NFL during this season after a hot start, but this analyst thought Simmons was more of a 2028 prospect as he needed more experience and development. Simmons has cooled down in recent weeks, and we re-signed with Missouri for 2027 if he doesn’t enter the NFL Draft. This tape indicates that Simmons should return to the Tigers next season and wait on going to the NFL.
In the first half, Simmons struggled as Georgia dominated. On the first play of the game, Simmons threw an interception to Bulldogs linebacker Raylen Wilson. It was a poor read and decision by Simmons, as Wilson was blanketing his receiver, and Wilson just had to turn around to spot the ball as it flew right to him. Simmons could not get in a rhythm and had only 66 yards passing at halftime, but he did have a short touchdown pass after his receiver broke a tackle in the flat. In the third quarter, Simmons did a nice job executing a play-fake by pulling the handoff back and threw a bullet on a slant for a touchdown. He added a short two-yard touchdown pass in garbage time. Simmons finished completing 17-of-25 passes for 175 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
For the NFL, Simmons is very similar to Michael Penix Jr. at Washington. Simmons has a powerful left arm capable of making all the throws and challenging defenses deep downfield. There is no doubt that Simmons has some talent, but he is only in his first year as a starter, and he could use refinement in his footwork, field vision, and get faster at working through progressions. Simmons could use more experience and development. He should return to Missouri next year and looks more like a prospect for the 2028 NFL Draft.
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The Georgia defense has early-round talents with cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, linebacker Chris Cole, and safety K.J. Bolden. The trio had a quiet game overall, but none of them played poorly. In the third quarter, Robinson stayed in the hip pocket of a receiver running a deep go route, and then he played the ball well to knock the pass away for a third-down incompletion that forced a punt. This game won’t hurt or help any of them significantly.
Walt