Recruiting on the South Plains | DT Delvon Simmons
by Seth C on Apr 15, 2011 10:00 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Recruiting
Email
Print
This is a big fish. A really big fish. I wasn't sure there was going to be enough room for all of the stars next to Simmons' name. Enough gushing, yesterday, Texas Tech, along with head coach Tommy Tuberville and assistant coach Robert Prunty, received the commitment of defensive tackle Delvon Simmons. Simmons and fellow 2011 commitment, DE Branden Jackson, both went to the same high school, and that's a big part of the connection that Simmons has with Texas Tech.
The Measurables:
Delvon Simmons
Position: DT
DTN Profile
Video: N/A
Rivals Profile5.9
Scout Profile
ESPN Profile
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 295 lbs
Forty: N/A
High School: McKeesport (McKeesport, PA)
So much good-good after the jump.
The Player Speaks: I haven't seen where Simmons is speaking, but his high school head coach has spoken quite a bit, and that's not a knock on him, I think he's been helping Simmons through the entire process of being released from his North Carolina letter of intent and choosing another college. Let's start with LAJ's Don Williams, who reports that Simmons is up from his initially reported weight of 265 to 295. This might make your pants go crazy:
"I think he’ll probably come to Tech between 290 and 295," said Ward, who used Simmons as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.
McKeesport went 8-2 last season in Class 4A, the highest in Pennsylvania. Simmons had team highs of 77 tackles, 17 for loss and seven sacks.
"He runs like a linebacker," Ward said. "His explosiveness off the football is incredible. He’s a very disruptive defensive tackle, not just getting to the quarterback but sideline to sideline making plays. He has tremendous athleticism, his frame is outstanding, and he has great strength.
"He has as much upside as any kid I’ve coached," said Ward, who has coached for 14 years, the last six as a head coach. "He has all the physical tools."
The only caveat is that Simmons has not yet qualified, but he's working on it.
The TribLive's John Santa talks a bit about the decision making process:
"I know I'm happy its all over," Ward said. "I don't feel like it's ever ended.
"I'm just glad for him. I feel like, in the end, each school presented a great opportunity."
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Simmons, who didn't return phone calls from the Tribune-Review yesterday, chose Texas Tech over 20 Division I offers. His final decision, however, came down to offers from Texas Tech, Southern Cal and Pitt.
"It was hard for him," Ward said of Simmons who made an unofficial visit to Pitt last week. "He liked (USC and Pitt) a lot. I think that's probably what took him so long to make a decision."
If you want to know what sort of affect that Prunty has on a young person's life, check out 247 Sports' Justin Wells:
"(Red Raiders head coach) Tommy Tuberville obviously has a great track record -- both as an assistant and a head coach," Ward said. "I think all of the people, including Robert Prunty (who recruited Jackson and Simmons), around the program were a big factor in the decision as well.
"Prunty really represented all of the people at Texas Tech. He did an excellent job of recruiting and developing a relationship with the kids. I think there was a real comfort level there."
You can also hear RP.com's Travis Cram talk about the signing, on 1340 the Fan in Lubbock.
And last but not least, Texas Tech, because this was official news, had a press-release and Tuberville talked about what Simmons will bring:
"Delvon has the ability to be a difference maker in our program," said Tuberville. "He is an explosive and disruptive player and an outstanding athlete. We are thrilled to have him."
The Video: Having a tough time finding video on Simmons. You can see some video from his ESPN profile, where he's playing defensive end. I think this film may be a bit old and I thought I read where Simmons was playing defensive tackle. I did find video of Simmons being selected for the U.S. Army All-American game:
Delvon Simmons - 2011 Selection Tour (via ArmyAllAmericanBowl)
Scouting Report: I don't think it's accurate for me to give a scouting report based on video that may be over a year old and where Simmons is playing out of position. Simmons' Scout profile does have a short profile:
A defensive end and offensive guard for his McKeesport team, Simmons may be best served playing interior line full time in college. He is a very good run blocker at guard, on the defensive line he plays with good strength and leverage. He's a good athlete that will need to learn to get off blocks better if he's to remain on the defensive side of the ball. Plays with a high motor and gets in on 2nd effort tackles - Scott Kennedy, Scout.com.
Delvon, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!
The 2011 Class: Obviously, with 28 commits, there are going to be some guys that aren't going to qualify. And we'll re-figure these averages once we know who actually qualifies.
| Position | Commitment | Ht/Wt | School/State | Rivals |
Rivals Rating | Scout |
ESPN |
ESPN Grade |
| QB | Michael Brewer | 6-0/175 | Lake Travis (Austin, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| RB | Kenny Williams | 5-10/210 | Hendrickson (Pflugerville, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 4 | 4 | 80 |
| RB | Bradley Marquez | 5-11/180 | Odessa (Odessa, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 4 | 79 |
| WR | Derek Edwards | 6-1/163 | Brenham (Brenham, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 3 | 3 | 79 |
| WR | Marcus Kennard | 6-4/205 | Butler County C.C. (El Dorado, KS) | 4 | 5.8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| WR | Jakeem Grant | 5-7/157 | Horn (Mesquite, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 75 |
| TE | Jace Amaro | 6-5/237 | MacArthur (San Antonio, TX) | 4 | 5.9 | 4 | 3 | 78 |
| OL | Tony Morales | 6-4/300 | Sam Houston (Arlington, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| OL | Alfredo Morales | 6-3/287 | Sam Houston (Arlington, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 76 |
| OL | Le'Raven Clark | 6-6/245 | Rockdale (Rockdale, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 79 |
| OL | Matt Wilson | 6-7/270 | Coldspring-Oakhurst (Coldspring, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| DL | Dennell Wesley | 6-3/315 | Butler County C.C. (El Dorado, KS) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| DL | Leon Mackey | 6-5/260 | Hinds C.C. (Raymond, MS) | 4 | 5.8 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| DL | Donte Phillips | 6-3/260 | Homestead (Mequon, WI) | 2 | 5.4 | 3 | 2 | 74 |
| DL | Delvon Simmons | 6-5/295 | McKeesport (McKeesport, PA) | 4 | 5.9 | 5 | 4 | 79 |
| DE | Kindred Evans | 6-6/215 | South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 75 |
| DE | Branden Jackson | 6-5/220 | McKeesport (McKeesport, PA) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 78 |
| DE | Desimon Green | 6-5/230 | Clairton (Clairton, PA) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| DE | Cooper Washington | 6-4/225 | Muleshoe (Muleshoe, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| LB | Blake Dees | 6-0/234 | Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort, AL) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 2 | 73 |
| LB | Sam Eguavoen | 6-2/220 | Lakeview Centennial (Garland, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 2 | 3 | 75 |
| LB | Justin Cooper | 6-1/205 | University School of Nova South (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 2 | 74 |
| CB | Jeremy Reynolds | 5-9/166 | Oak Ridge Military Academy (Oak Ridge, NC) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 3 | 77 |
| ATH | Ronnie Daniels | 6-1/195 | La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 76 |
| ATH | LaDarrin Robertson | 6-3/215 | Longview (Longview, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 77 |
| ATH | DeAndre Washington | 5-9/183 | Marshall (Missouri City, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 78 |
| ATH | J.J. Gaines | 5-11/175 | Irving Nimitz (Irving, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 77 |
| ATH | Otis Wright | 6-0/180 | Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | 2 | 5.4 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Averages | 3.18 | 5.64 | 3.00 | 2.46 | 66.46 |
17 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Long enough!
Great addition. I had wondered if Pitt would get in the mix. Good that he considered it before coming to Tech.
Better hope that small blurp about “qualifying” doesn’t become an issue as he is a 5.9 like Amaro. Congrats to Tubs and Prunty. Defense could change fast with some of the additions to DL coming into next year.
Check out my fan shot
looks like we are getting a few more *’s at tech!
"A job well done is better than a job well said."
by I bleed Red and Black on Apr 15, 2011 11:58 AM CDT reply actions
ment to say other post not my post....
"A job well done is better than a job well said."
by I bleed Red and Black on Apr 15, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Meant!
good gosh! sorry….
"A job well done is better than a job well said."
by I bleed Red and Black on Apr 15, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Tuberville on the Radio
Says Simmons is 6’5.5 and almost 300 lbs.
Another Transfer to TECH!!!!!
Just got word on this fanpost that Ben Mcroy’s brother, Javares McRoy, is transferring to Texas Tech:
http://www.doubletnation.com/2011/4/15/2113110/rumor-mcroys-younger-brother-coming-to-tech
Chris Level just twittered it too.
Huge recruit along with Delvon Simmons.
Good job Tubs.
Guns Up!
Comparable in size to
Big Fred Thrweatt. What a monster.
" Answers --Become Resources."
Without Questions, There are limited Resources...
Mcroy
Will have to sit out a year….but what a haul.
Great job coaches
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Apr 15, 2011 3:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
There is apparently some chance he won’t have to sit. Has to file a petition. The fact he was committed to us for 6 months and was an early enrolle are considerations.
by CRV on Apr 15, 2011 9:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hope
for the best and prepare for the worst…damn nice pick up
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Apr 15, 2011 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
His injury (?) may make it smart for him to sit...
How ever it works out, I think it will show good good….
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
This is a great opportunity for Texas Tech
As well as it is for Simmons. I think that because his good friend Jackson is at Tech already, he will be able to quickly settle in and start learing the plays before training restarts. He should learn “the lay of the land” quickly and with Jackson’s assist he should be able to avoid any bad influences during his learning process. The same can be said of the McRoys. Having Ben already at Tech for a year will be huge for Javares to be able to adapt quickly.We all wondered if this “buddy” system would be fruitful. Well, we need not wonder any more. A heck of football team is a-growin’ in Lubbock.
TTpilk
"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill
I had this feeling about Simmons, that he was our guy to lose...did not and don't know why.
I am getting the sense of a trend with our recruiting. Once we target a guy we keep banging away until his is lost…even when he looks lost but is not really so.
McRoy is an example, his story has taken many turns (and yet may still) but he has come to a point to where he thinks it is good for him to be at TTU.
Having written the above and seeing it on the page I must add that it is not new at TTU…the numbers of stars may be a difference. We really go after the guys we want and find ways to help them get to TTU if they want to be here.
Finally, I would have loved to have seen, had it existed—and I know it did not, a profile from Rivals, Scout, and ESPN on Gabe Rivera, Senor Sack, as he came out of high school and how it might compare to what is being written about Simmons.
I am very hopeful for DS’s future on our DL.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
