Signing Day Spotlight: Jeffery Simmons

Jeffery Simmons has emerged as one of the best prospects in the 2016 class and it looks like he’s headed to the SEC West.

The five-star and top-rated strong-side defensive end has essentially narrowed his choices to Alabama and Ole Miss and the Rebels could be the frontrunner heading into National Signing Day.

Mississippi State and other SEC programs had been involved with the Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County standout, but it sure looks like Ole Miss is in a great spot heading into this week.

“Ole Miss feels like home,” Simmons told RebelGrove.com this past weekend “Like I said, everywhere I’ve been, I’m loving it. I really like Ole Miss, too. The guys that I hung out with just kept saying that, ‘It’s home.’ For a Mississippi guy, it’s home. If I did choose to come here, it would be a great fit.”

Here is a comment from a reporter that covers each of Simmons’ two finalists heading into his decision this week:

“There is not a higher priority on the Ole Miss recruiting board right now than Jeffery Simmons. Ole Miss views him as the heir apparent to Robert Nkemdiche, a player with enough quickness to come off the edge and big enough to impact the game between the tackles. The Rebels have certainly worried about Mississippi State and Alabama, but Simmons spent the final recruiting weekend in Oxford, and by Sunday, optimism abounded. Simmons is not a lock to Ole Miss. In particular, Alabama has done a terrific job recruiting him. However, it would be an upset of some degree if Simmons did not sign with Ole Miss on Wednesday.” - Neal McCready, RebelGrove.com

"Jeffery Simmons has been recruited by Alabama for more than a year. He has been one of the Crimson Tide's top defensive targets. Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis has been in charge of his recruitment. Alabama has been considered the biggest out-of-state threat for Simmons. He visited Tuscaloosa several times. He took an official visit to Ole Miss this last weekend. The Rebels appear in great shape for the elite prospect." – Andrew Bone, TideSports.com