As Tennessee continues to welcome prospects to campus over the course of spring practice, one player of note who will be on-hand this weekend is offensive tackle Lucas Simmons.

The Vols offered the three-star earlier this year and recently cracked the ‘top-12’ list for the 2023 recruit. Josh Heupel, Glen Elarbee and Alex Golesh have all been involved in this one and look to make more progress this weekend when the big man is on campus.

“It’s been going good,” Simmons said of Tennessee’s recruitment. “I really like coach Elarbee and the rest of the staff and it’s heading in the right direction. Coach Heupel knows my dad and our team takes inspiration from Tennessee in how they run their plays.

“I’m just continuing to build this relationship with all of those guys. It means a lot to me.”

Simmons’ father was a senior guard for Oklahoma when Heupel arrived in Norman. He then left the program to study abroad and start a family. Growing up in Sweden, Simmons has only been state-side for nine months.

“I was in a really good school back home, but there’s more opportunities to get recruited and developed for college here – especially in Florida,” the offensive lineman told Volquest. “I realized that would probably be the best move and it was the right decision for me.

“Florida competition is Florida competition – it’s unmatched. My coaches are coaching me the right way, so I feel like I’m in the right spot for me to perform well in college from the start.”

Starring at left tackle for Clearwater Academy, it’s been fun so far. His team won state in 2021 and he’s already getting acclimated to a college lifestyle – one that’s away from family, living in a dorm and focusing on school and football.

The 6-foot-7, 300 pounder has been reeling in the offers as well – 36 to be exact – but has trimmed the list down to 12 of late with Tennessee in the running.

“We are thinking the same thing,” Simmons said of the Vols coaching staff. “What stands out about me is my athleticism, and of course, I have a lot more to build towards. My best football is still ahead of me. Technique wise, I still have a way to go, but I feel like I standout with this athleticism and I feel like I’ve been progressing well since I’ve gotten here.”

Other programs who made the cut include Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi State from the Southeastern Conference. Elsewhere it’s Baylor, Oklahoma State, Southern California, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Michigan, Florida State and USF who are being considered.

Simmons recently checked in with USC and USF. He’s made stops at Florida and Florida State as well this winter and plans on being in Knoxville this weekend.

“I’ve basically seen it [campus] on a zoom call and it looked crazy. I’m sure it will look crazy in person,” Simmons said of The Hill. “I’m excited to actually get a picture in front of me. Phone calls are great and all, but seeing it in person, it’ll be great for me. It’ll be a great opportunity for me to spend a weekend there.”

Then offensive tackle owns a Rivals Rating of 5.7 and is considered the 36th player at his position in the class. In the state of Florida, Simmons ranks 69th. Tennessee has an excellent opportunity this weekend to leave a lasting impression on the athlete.

“I really like Tennessee. Our relationship is getting stronger,” Simmons concluded. “They came in a little later than some of the other schools, but it’s been great since the first conversation I’ve had with coach Elarbee.”