Three-point stance: Recruiting Florida, Simmons, unfortunate injury

Today’s edition talks about the top teams outside the Southeast that recruit Florida, why Jeffrey Simmons should never suit up for Mississippi State and a get-well wish.

With all the hoopla surrounding Jim Harbaugh holding spring practice in Florida, you’d think that the Michigan Wolverines were a program that has been consistently raiding the Sunshine State for talent for years. the uproar is certainly a compliment to Harbaugh as he clearly strikes fear into the hearts of many in the Southeast after landing four-stars Devin Bush and Nick Eubanks this past recruiting cycle. However, before the 2016 class, the Wolverines landed one four-star player from Florida, offensive lineman Mason Cole, since 2011. While I have zero doubt that Michigan will quickly become one of the top threats in Florida outside the Southeast, right now there are teams that have done a consistently better job. So perhaps Southeast programs should worry a bit more about these five programs if the NCAA doesn’t outlaw such traveling practices and copycats emerge.

* Ohio State – The Buckeyes, mainly under former Florida coach Urban Meyer, have landed 10 prospects ranked four-stars or higher since 2011 (not including 2017), led by stars like Joey Bosa and Ryan Shazier and highlighted by last year’s haul of Nick Bosa, Malik Barrow, Tyler Gerald and Binjimen Victor. The Wolverines have a long way to go before they have the cache the Buckeyes do in Florida.

* Notre Dame – The move to a heavier ACC schedule was expected to keep Notre Dame relevant in states like Florida and it has certainly worked. The Irish have recruited eight prospects (not including 2017) since 2011, although some of them haven’t worked out like Aaron Lynch and Greg Bryant. But Tarean Folston, Mike Heuerman and Corey Holmes were big recruiting battles won and much of the success has come in the last two cycles with players like Tevon Coney, Dexter Williams and Parker Boudreaux. The partial ACC schedule is paying off.

* Louisville – Charlie Strong is the main reason Louisville, the only SEC or ACC program on this list, has been so impressive in Florida. With seven four-star commitments since 2011 (not including 2017), Louisville continues to be a threat even with Strong gone. Current quarterback Lamar Jackson could be the most important of them all, or at least since Teddy Bridgewater back in 2011, as he has shown the ability as a freshman to make Louisville very dangerous in the next few years. South Florida continues to be the main area of interest by prospects and things have fallen off a bit since Strong departed, but Louisville is still a threat.

* USC – The Trojans used to spot recruit Florida for stars like Keith Rivers and Mike Williams under Pete Carroll and since then have landed stars like Nelson Agholor and Leonard Williams since 2012. USC has landed four prospects ranked four-stars or higher since 2011 (not including 2017), but the 2016 class had two borderline four-stars in Jamel Cook and Keyshawn Young. USC is still a national recruiting power and Florida kids will continue to take a long look.

* Stanford – Surprised? So was I. Texas has as many as Stanford and technically could be here at No. 5, but all four of their commits were under Strong during his transition to Texas (2015 class) and the Longhorns have since focused more regionally. Stanford, like USC, has had four prospects ranked four-stars or higher since 2011, including Wayne Lyons in 2011 and Ben Edwards in 2015. Stanford won’t stay in the top five for long here as Michigan becomes more of a presence. West Virginia and Virginia Tech tied Michigan with three prospects from Florida ranked four stars or higher since 2011, but I fully expect the Wolverines to run past them as well.

I guess I will never understand it. Maybe DeAndre Johnson or Joe Mixon or even Ray Rice amongst others can explain it to me, but how on earth do you put your hands on a woman? But yet it happens over and over again with the latest example being five-star Mississippi State signee Jeffery Simmons, who hasn’t even begun his college career. Simmons, out of Noxubee County High School in Mississippi and who signed with the Bulldogs over Ole Miss and Alabama, was caught on tape this past Saturday allegedly striking a woman while she was on the ground. The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder known for his strength and power on the field took to Facebook the same day to explain the inexplicable.

He has apparently since deleted the apology. Listen, I don’t claim to know the woman he assaulted –- and yes, it was clearly assault. I don’t claim to know her character or what she may or may not have said about his deceased nephews, something he alludes to in his apology. And yes, I’ve certainly been pushed to the brink of violence in my life based on the words of another, but again it all comes down to one thing –- you never, ever strike a female unless bodily harm is at risk and you have zero options. And clearly, based on the video footage that was not the case.

My stance is the same as it was for Rice, Johnson and Mixon before him: Simmons should not receive a second chance. A football scholarship or NFL contract is a gift, something hundreds of thousands of kids dream of each year, and that gift should be taken away without any discussion.

FSU did the right thing in dismissing Johnson, Oklahoma didn’t do the right thing as Mixon helped them to the playoffs last year after serving a one-year suspension and Rice still begs for any NFL chance and won’t get one. Mississippi State should part ways with Simmons immediately and no one else should touch him. All the apologists can scream about second chances all they want. Every day we are responsible for our actions and how they impact our future and represent our family -- that goes for each and every one of us. We should all be held to the same standard. Now we will see whether Dan Mullen takes the Jimbo Fisher approach or shows the ill-advised forgiveness of Bob Stoops.

Not much room for thought number three here so I’ll make it simple a “get-well-soon” wish to former five-star and current USC defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow, who suffered a torn ACL and will needs 7-9 months to recover. Bigelow tore the same ACL early in his career, but knowing the challenges this young man has faced in his life prior to college football, I know he will be fine. Here’s hoping for a full recovery so we can see that potential finally unleashed on the field.