MACON — Jeffery Simmons is on a mission.
As much as you might think Simmons might want to add to an already impressive list of college suitors, the Noxubee County High School senior defensive lineman has another goal that has motivated him throughout the offseason.
“I want to help my team get back to state,” Simmons said.
Simmons will join the Tigers today for the first official day of practice for Mississippi High School Activities Association member schools. The 6-foot-4, 272-pounder is one of the state’s top recruits this season, and one of a solid group in the Greater Golden Triangle area that will attract plenty of attention from college coaches.
“He makes everybody around him better,” Noxubee County High football coach Tyrone Shorter said. “That is when you know you have a great leader on your team.”
With 12 scholarship offers already in hand, Simmons said he hopes to get more. He said the plethora of opportunities won’t make it tougher on him because he only has to pick one school. He said he will put his recruiting to the side so he can focus on helping the reigning Class 4A state champion Tigers earn the program’s fourth state championship.
Simmons didn’t think he would have received as many offers as he has gotten, especially from big-time schools. He said he thought a lot of people “overlooked” Noxubee County and other schools in the state of Mississippi.
But Simmons is working hard to make people notice. Last season, he had 15.5 sacks and helped lead Noxubee County to a 48-27 victory against St. Stanislaus in the Class 4A State title game. The championship was the Tigers’ second in the past three years. Led by Simmons and senior quarterback Timorrius Conner, the Tigers are expected to be a favorite for the Class 4A championship this season.
For his efforts, Simmons was named The Dispatch’s Large Schools Defensive Player of the Year. He was second on the team in tackles (107) and earned Class 4A All-State honors.
“I think I have grown a lot in terms of my maturity level,” Simmons said. “As a ninth-grader, I think I had a lot of growing up to do. I think to this point right now I have grown up a lot.”
Shorter recalls Simmons, the younger brother of former Noxubee County High standout and current Southern Mississippi defensive lineman Dylan Bradley, being the Tigers’ water boy for the longest time. He said he watched Simmons mature and had a feeling he was going to be someone special. Simmons dressed out as a varsity team member as a freshman.
“I can remember telling all of the scouts who came through here about Jeffery,” Shorter said. “They were looking at him and saying, ‘Coach, this kid is in the ninth grade?’ His physical ability and the way he has developed, he looks like a college football player right now.”
Simmons, who is a member of The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen, which recognizes the state’s top prep football players, has bulked up to 272 pounds entering the season. A year ago, he played in the 260-pound range.
Simmons said his offseason work in the weight room has helped him gain strength. But Simmons’ speed is as devastating as his strength. Even if teams run away from Simmons, he has a knack for running down ball carriers from behind.
This season, Shorter said the Tigers again will move Simmons to a variety of positions to keep offenses guessing. He doesn’t feel Simmons will get frustrated if teams go away from him or double- or triple-team him. That mind-set goes to the character Shorter said Simmons has on and off the field.
Simmons embraced a leadership role last season and was a vocal presence on a defense that registered four shutouts. He is eager to play an even bigger role in both areas this season.
“This year, everything counts,” Simmons said. “It really hasn’t hit me yet, but I heard the coaches say and some of the players say last year that everything counts their senior year. Every snap, everything I do this year, I am going to make it like my last snap and make everything count this year.”
Shorter said that attitude also has carried through the offseason into this season. He said Simmons hasn’t allowed all of the recruiting buzz surrounding him to affect his preparation for what could be a huge senior campaign.
“When he leaves our program, I can smile because all of our coaches have helped mold him to be the person he needs to be,” Shorter said. “I know wherever he goes to school he is going to be successful.
“I have to tip my hat to his mom. She is a single parent. Her two sons came through here and they are the best kids. Those are the type of kids you wish all 75 of your players were like that.”
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 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
