Transfer portal season hasn’t officially opened yet, but announcements are already pouring in. While Georgia and seven other teams prepare for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, much of the rest of the country is focused on who could be transferring where.
The portal opens on Jan. 2, one day after UGA plays Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl for a spot in the CFP semifinals. Though Kirby Smart’s focus is on the tests ahead, I’m sure he’s been keeping a close eye on what’s happening around him.
That includes activity just across the state line in Alabama, where Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons is expected to depart. Simmons, a former four-star prospect in the 2024 class out of Alexander City, Alabama, announced his plans to enter the portal on Dec. 13.
And according to Pete Nakos of On3, the Georgia Bulldogs are a team to watch in the recruitment of Simmons. But they’re not alone, says Nakos:
“Among the early schools to watch for Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons are Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia and Texas A&M,” he wrote.
Simmons is the real deal. As a freshman in 2024, he caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned a punt for six points. In 2025, he caught 20 passes for 457 yards and two touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown.
Simmons was a member of Hugh Freeze’s first full recruiting class. His drop in production was disappointing for Tigers fans following a big-time freshman season.
Auburn fired Freeze on Nov. 2. The next day, interim head coach DJ Durkin gave offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Derrick Nix.
Simmons didn’t do much in that first game under Nix, recording two catches for 46 yards. But in the next two games, his production skyrocketed, totaling 149 yards against Mercer and 143 vs. Alabama. He scored a touchdown in both those games. Those games served as his two best of 2025.
In a 20-10 loss vs Georgia in October, Simmons had one catch for two yards.
