Jeffery Simmons might not need it, but he is going to get one more chance to make a final impression.
But Simmons will get that opportunity at noon Saturday when he is one of 90 of the nation’s top players to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game, which will pit the East vs. the West, will be broadcast live on WTVA.
“It has been great. I am having a great time,” said Simmons, who flew out Sunday and started practice Monday. “It has been a great experience so far. There is a lot of competition out here. They are making me better and I am making them better.”
Despite missing four games due to injury, Simmons played a key role in leading Noxubee County to its second-consecutive Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state title. He finished second on his team in solo tackles (88) and second in overall tackles (105) to senior linebacker Qendarrion Barnett.
Simmons led the Tigers (12-4) with 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 18 1/2 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three blocked field goals, and two blocked punts. He also caused two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, made one interception, and deflected five passes.
Last month, Simmons represented Mississippi in the 29th annual Senior All-Star game against Alabama, which Mississippi won to snap a seven-game losing streak in the series. He also was The Dispatch’s Large Schools Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons. He shared the award this season with West Point’s Jeffrey Drake.
Simmons said he already has made an official visit to Tennessee. He said he has official visits set up to go to Mississippi State on Jan. 15, to Alabama on Jan. 22, and to Ole Miss on Jan. 29. He said he will contemplate his future and make a decision in time for National Signing Day on Wednesday Feb. 3.
Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter, who left Thursday morning for Texas, said the Tigers’ coaching staff planned to drive in a van to attend the game in the Alamodome. He said he knows Simmons is going to make the entire community proud.
“I have talked to Jeffery every day,” Shorter said. “He is enjoying it and making a lot of new friends. There also is a lot of hard work. To be there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I told him to make the best of it and to embrace it because a lot of kids don’t get opportunity to go to an event like that.”
Shorter feels the experience will give Simmons an early taste of what to expect in college. He said there is no doubt Simmons will shine Saturday and that he will continue to excel against the best players in the nation once he gets to college.
After recording three-and-a-half sacks and four quarterback hurries in a 44-23 victory against St. Stanislaus on Dec. 5 in the Class 4A State title game at Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, there isn’t much Simmons has left to prove. If you know Simmons, though, that won’t stop him from trying to dominate the game.
“It is a great way to wrap up my high school career and have a chance to go out and play my best,” Simmons said. “I just want to go out and give it my all and just make plays and go out and compete.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.