Darrell Simmons highlights big weekend for South Carolina

Banneker high (College Park, GA) safety Darrell Simmons joined five other prospects on campus at South Carolina this past weekend. Jay Spearman and Kenny Davis are both already committed. T’Sharvan Bell, Devin Taylor and Kenneth Page have yet to make their decisions but enjoyed their visits. Darrell Simmons loved it. The 6-1, 180 lb prospect goes with South Carolina over some other major offers from Tennessee, Miami, Ohio St, Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Oklahoma. That is an incredible offer sheet.

South Carolina has turned Banneker high school into a pipeline recently. Simmons joins three current players from the College park program. Carlos Thomas, Addison Williams, Ladi Ajiboye are all current Gamecocks.

How Simmons ranks:

Rivals: #35 safety
Scout: #26 safety
ESPN: #28 safety

Simmons is a phenomenal athlete. He plays a bit faster than his combine times, but his speed is not elite. Having said that, he is constantly around the ball. He simply makes plays. Although he does not possess that elite closing speed, he absolutely explodes when he gets to the ball. And he knows how to get to the ball, especially from the edge where he is more comfortable than inside the tackles. He relies heavily on great instincts. He plays the outside force very well.

Like most high school players his technique (back pedal, hip turn etc) in coverage needs work. Can he cover the sideline in a 2-deep set-up? He may have the ability but it is still a unknown. As is the case with most defensive backs, playing the pass is the biggest question mark.

South Carolina has been great at producing NFL defensive backs though with names like Dunta Robinson and Ko Simpson. This means he will get great coaching.

One major question mark. Where is his head? Kids get in trouble all the time and learn from it and grow up. Simmons was arrested this summer with three other kids for burglary. Will he?