Will Simmons see the Vols again?
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Jeffery Simmons has only visited Tennessee once and despite that visit taking place over two months ago the Vols continue to be a major factor with the Noxubee, Miss., defensive end.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defender didn’t know much about the Vols heading into his visit in late October but after seeing Tennessee take down South Carolina and spend the weekend on Rocky Top he was very impressed.
“I had always heard about Tennessee’s program and when they offered me I talked to my coach about them and when he was talking he asked if I wanted to take an official visit there and I told him yes because I wanted to see what they had to offer,” Simmons said. “When I went up there it was great, especially the game environment. To me, they probably have one of the best fan bases in the SEC.
Simmons now has official visits planned for Jan. 15 to Mississippi State, Jan. 22 to Alabama and Jan. 29 Ole Miss and despite a busy January Simmons said seeing Tennessee so long ago won’t hurt the Vols and he hopes to squeeze in a trip to Knoxville.
“It doesn’t, not at all,” Simmons said, “because I’ve talked to my coach about going back up there for an unofficial visit.
“I went up there by myself the first time but I want to go up there with my coach next time.”
“I want to get a second look at it. The other schools that are recruiting me I’ve been there a number of times and I’ve only been to Tennessee once so I want to get another look at it.”
Simmons, who has visited his other three finalists several times, said each school has something appealing about them.
“With Mississippi State they are a family environment,” Simmons said. “With Alabama, every time I go over there it’s great. And their environment sticks out to me.
“That’s one thing I look for. Like Ole Miss, they have that family atmosphere, too. Ole Miss and Mississippi State are right down the road for me.”
As he takes his final official visits and possibly one more unofficial, Simmons said he’s looking for a connection with a team’s current players.
“Just the environment. I’m looking to see if I can fit in and I want to try and get a relationship with the players,” Simmons said.
As for distance, Simmons said it’s not a factor as he’s originally from Louisiana.