# SEC Morning Report: Austin Simmons Trending Toward a 2027 Return to Missouri **Published:** 2026-10-22 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield **Category:** daily-roundup — **Type:** daily-roundup **Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/sec-morning-report-austin-simmons-trending-toward-a-2027-return-to-missouri **Teams:** [Alabama](https://secscouts.com/alabama/), [Auburn](https://secscouts.com/auburn/), [Florida](https://secscouts.com/florida/), [Georgia](https://secscouts.com/georgia/), [Kentucky](https://secscouts.com/kentucky/), [Missouri](https://secscouts.com/missouri/), [Oklahoma](https://secscouts.com/oklahoma/), [Ole Miss](https://secscouts.com/ole-miss/), [Tennessee](https://secscouts.com/tennessee/), [Texas A&M](https://secscouts.com/texas-am/) --- ## Lead Story: Simmons Reportedly Planning to Run It Back in Columbia Missouri received the kind of bye-week news that can shape an entire offseason. According to a report from Ryan Roberts, quarterback Austin Simmons is planning to return to Missouri for the 2027 season. Per the report, Simmons and his family are already working toward a return and have begun negotiations on what next season would look like, with his parents — who play a key role in those conversations — wanting him back for another year. It's easy to see why the Missouri Tigers would want this resolved early. Simmons has guided Missouri to a 5-2 record and the No. 22 ranking, completing 132 of 209 passes (63.2%) for 1,773 yards with 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions through seven games. That production has generated NFL Draft buzz, which makes the reported push toward a return all the more significant. Nothing is official yet, but securing Simmons for 2027 would stabilize the most important position on the roster. The quarterback news caps a strong stretch of recognition for the Tigers. Four Missouri players landed on the Associated Press midseason All-America team: running back Jamal Roberts, who leads the SEC with 867 rushing yards, and linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez, who paces the conference with 76 total tackles, were first-team selections. Offensive lineman Cayden Green — yet to allow a sack with just three pressures surrendered all season — and Daeden Hopkins, with 24 pressures and 8 sacks, made the second team. ## Quick Hits - **Lady Vols pull off a top-10 reverse sweep.** No. 9 Tennessee volleyball rallied from two sets down to stun No. 4 Kentucky 17-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-10 Wednesday night at Food City Center in Knoxville — a statement comeback in a battle of top-10 SEC programs. - **Georgia hits the bye at the right time.** After the Georgia Bulldogs' stunning loss to the Auburn Tigers, the warning signs are getting a second look: tackling issues in space, three fumbles that bounced Georgia's way against Alabama, and a costly Gunner Stockton interception that foreshadowed the mistakes Auburn cashed in. The bye week gives a tired, beat-up roster time to correct the tape before the Florida Gators await. - **Tennessee women's golf closes the fall strong.** The No. 9 Lady Vols tied for second at the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate in Granbury, Texas, wrapping their fall season with a runner-up finish. - **Oklahoma baseball unveils its 2027 slate.** The Sooners announced a 54-game schedule featuring 27 home dates at Kimrey Family Stadium, plus premier non-conference weekends at Globe Life Field in Arlington and Riders Field in Frisco, Texas. - **Kentucky soccer stumbles at home.** The Wildcats fell 2-1 to Coastal Carolina, a frustrating result on their home pitch. ## Portal Watch Quiet night on the transfer front — no SEC portal entries or commitments to report in the last 12 hours. With several teams on bye weeks, roster conversations are happening behind the scenes (see the Simmons report above), but nothing has hit the wire. We'll keep monitoring as the season's second half unfolds. ## Recruiting Buzz No new commitments over the last 12 hours. The recruiting calendar should heat back up as programs come out of their bye weeks and in-season official visits resume. ## Games to Watch No football games on today's slate, but there's SEC action on the pitch: Texas A&M soccer is in action Thursday as the visitor for a Pink Out Night match. Elsewhere, keep an eye on Oxford this weekend — Ole Miss baseball and softball are partnering with The League of Angels for the second straight year to host the organization's unique baseball experience at Swayze Field on October 26. Back tomorrow with more from around the conference. --- *Original article: [SEC Morning Report: Austin Simmons Trending Toward a 2027 Return to Missouri](https://secscouts.com/news/sec-morning-report-austin-simmons-trending-toward-a-2027-return-to-missouri) — SEC Scouts*