Virginia DB lands his first offer

Offer No. 1 has come in for a Virginia talent. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder landed his first offer from the Big Ten a couple weeks back and may be on the verge of more very soon.

"I got my first offer from Illinois two weeks ago," Lorton (Va.) South County safety Andre Simmons said. "The offer shows they were interested. The coaches from Illinois said they liked me on and off the field and offered me. They are high up on my list. It's in the Big Ten and it's a good place to be at, I'm excited about the offer.

"I know the level of competition they play and Coach Zook is a great coach. They went to the Rose Bowl not too long ago and are turning the program around."

Simmons recently took a trip to Pittsburgh for a junior day as well.

"A week ago I went to Pittsburgh's junior day," he said. "I love Pittsburgh. They share facilities with the Steelers and a lot of their stuff is amazing. I like my position coach too, he seems like a good coach. It also seems like they only have two senior safeties next year, so there is a chance to maybe play early."

Simmons may be taking more visits in the near future.

"I'm not sure if I'm going anywhere this weekend," he stated. "I think I have a family thing, but I am looking at going to Northwestern and Illinois perhaps next month."

Other schools including Virginia, Maryland, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech are also showing interest.

Does the Commonwealth prospect like any colleges?

"I was raised liking LSU and some of the SEC," he said. "I'm open to all schools though.

"I liked the SEC and LSU because of the level of competition. They bring in top recruits and play other top teams. It seems every year there is a national champion coming in."

Simmons went on to discuss what he wants in a college.

"First, is the education, football is not going to last forever. I'm looking at either business, sports medicine or sports management," he said. "I've always dreamed of playing for a big-time program. Then, I'm looking at the level of competition and hopefully I can play in a bowl game one day. Location doesn't really matter. At first I thought it did, but I can manage."

Simmons helped his team to the playoffs a year ago as he earned honorable mention all-conference honors.

"My sophomore year I only played in three games because I got hurt," he said. "I think I did well as a junior. I think I showed good football knowledge and I understand how the game is played. I'm a good leader on the field and I'm physical.

"I want to improve on a lot of things still. I want to get my speed up and get even more physical. There's no limit to that."