BIG BOOST ON THE PLAINS: Explosive Playmaker Malcolm Simmons Reportedly Set to Practice with the Tigers, Igniting Optimism for a Breakout Fall Season
After months of speculation and hopeful whispers from Auburn Tigers fans, an exciting development is unfolding on The Plains that could drastically shift the offensive outlook for the program in 2025. Malcolm Simmons, the four-star playmaker whose reputation for explosiveness, agility, and game-changing versatility has made him a hot topic in SEC circles, is reportedly set to begin practicing with the Tigers. Simmons, who had been managing recovery from a nagging lower-body injury, is now expected to be a full participant in team activities moving forward, a revelation that has set off a surge of optimism within the Auburn camp.
The buzz around Simmons isn’t without merit. A product of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama, Simmons built his high school resume around jaw-dropping highlight plays, deep-ball touchdowns, and dynamic run-after-catch efforts that made him one of the most sought-after athletes in the Southeast. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 185 pounds, he has the frame of a slot receiver but the impact of a WR1, and more importantly, the competitive fire and discipline that head coach Hugh Freeze values deeply. Simmons committed to Auburn over offers from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State, and he did so with the confidence that he could be part of building something special at his home-state university.
When Freeze landed Simmons, it was more than just a recruiting win—it was a signal of intent. Auburn wasn’t just in the process of rebuilding; it was evolving into something more dangerous. For an offense that has struggled in recent seasons to find a reliable go-to option in clutch situations, Simmons represents the perfect fit. He brings not only the physical gifts to stretch defenses but also the instinctual ability to find soft spots in coverage, elevate in traffic, and make contested catches—skills that have grown increasingly valuable in today’s pass-heavy SEC landscape.
News of Simmons returning to practice could not come at a more pivotal time for Auburn’s offense. After an underwhelming 2024 campaign that saw the Tigers finish with a middle-of-the-pack offensive ranking in the SEC, there’s been a renewed urgency in spring and summer practices. Quarterback Payton Thorne, who returns for his senior year after an up-and-down 2024 season, is under pressure to prove that he can elevate his game and deliver consistently. Having Simmons as a target could be the missing piece Thorne needs to make that jump from steady game manager to legitimate SEC signal-caller. Simmons’ ability to break open plays on short screens, jet sweeps, and intermediate routes gives Thorne a security blanket and, more importantly, a weapon who can turn 5-yard completions into 60-yard touchdowns.
Insiders close to the program report that Simmons has been making steady progress behind the scenes, participating in walkthroughs, attending film sessions, and gradually increasing his workload during strength and conditioning sessions. The coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, has reportedly been deliberate in re-integrating Simmons into the flow of the offense to avoid re-aggravating any injuries. According to team sources, the plan is to slowly ramp him up during the early portion of fall camp, with the goal of having him at full speed by the time Auburn opens the season.
While fans have understandably focused on Simmons’ offensive capabilities, his impact could stretch beyond just catching passes. Auburn is expected to deploy him in multiple roles—lining up in the slot, wide out, and occasionally in the backfield. His high school film is littered with plays where he motioned into the backfield to take handoffs or served as a decoy to confuse defensive reads. Don’t be surprised if Freeze and Montgomery draw up creative packages to get him involved in jet motion concepts, option pitches, and double-reverse plays, especially in red zone situations.
And then there’s special teams. Simmons made his name returning punts and kickoffs in high school, and though Auburn already has return specialists in place, the temptation to put a weapon like Simmons back deep will be hard to resist. With the NCAA’s ever-changing approach to kickoff returns and increased touchback rates, punt returns have become the true test of a team’s ability to flip field position. Simmons has that rare field vision and acceleration that make him dangerous the moment the ball touches his hands. He doesn’t dance; he explodes. And that could change the complexion of games where field position and hidden yardage become key.
There’s also a less-discussed but equally important impact that Simmons brings: the psychological boost. When a team’s locker room sees a young talent, previously sidelined, return to practice with purpose and intensity, it sends a message. It inspires. It raises the standard. Auburn’s wide receiver corps has been viewed as a question mark in recent years, lacking both consistency and a true game-breaking identity. Simmons brings both. His presence alone may elevate the play of returning receivers like Ja’Varrius Johnson and Camden Brown, both of whom have shown flashes but have yet to put together full seasons of dominance. Competition breeds excellence, and Simmons’ emergence into practice introduces a level of urgency that could catalyze growth across the board.
Recruiting-wise, this development doesn’t go unnoticed either. Simmons’ return to action will be watched closely by recruits across Alabama and the Southeast who are weighing offers. Seeing a local kid choose Auburn, get healthy, and emerge as a featured contributor sends a powerful message to undecided four- and five-star prospects. It demonstrates Auburn’s commitment to development, rehabilitation, and opportunity. In a sport where recruiting momentum can shift with a single story, Simmons’ return might just help Auburn flip a few key targets in the 2025 and 2026 classes.
For Simmons himself, this moment marks the beginning of a long-awaited journey. After being sidelined for much of the last year, the opportunity to practice again with the team and prepare for game day action is both a personal and professional triumph. Athletes of Simmons’ caliber don’t just want to be on the field; they need to be. The delay, as frustrating as it’s been for him, may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Time off the field has reportedly sharpened his mental grasp of the playbook, improved his nutrition and body management habits, and helped him reset emotionally after the chaos of the recruiting cycle. He returns hungrier, smarter, and more prepared.
From a coaching standpoint, Freeze and his staff understand the magnitude of Simmons’ return. This isn’t just a player coming back to practice—it’s a potential offensive cornerstone finally stepping onto the blueprint that the program has drawn up since the day he signed. The staff’s careful management of Simmons’ recovery reflects not only their understanding of his long-term importance, but also their trust in him to handle the spotlight. There’s a quiet confidence in Auburn’s locker room these days—a sense that things are starting to align, and Simmons is very much a part of that alignment.
The challenge now becomes translating that potential into production. Auburn opens the season with several manageable matchups that could serve as a proving ground for Simmons and the rest of the receiving corps. These early games will be crucial in allowing Simmons to get back into game speed, build chemistry with Thorne, and develop trust within the offensive unit. The SEC gauntlet awaits, and while Auburn won’t face Georgia or Alabama in the first few weeks, it won’t be long before the Tigers need every ounce of playmaking firepower they can muster.
For now, the optimism around Simmons’ return is well-founded. He represents everything Auburn fans hope their program can be—local, loyal, electric, and explosive. In a college football landscape increasingly dominated by NIL deals, transfer portals, and uncertain program identities, Simmons feels like a throwback: a homegrown talent who chose to stay close to his roots and wear the jersey that meant something to his family and his community.
Auburn fans will get their first look at Simmons during open practices later this month, and expectations will no doubt skyrocket from there. But if what we’ve seen in his high school tapes, what we’ve heard from coaches, and what we believe about his ceiling is true, then Malcolm Simmons is not just a name to watch—he’s the next big thing on The Plains. And with him finally practicing, Auburn’s fall just got a whole lot more exciting.
