North Myrtle Beach DE Chase Simmons (6-4 250), who has been committed to Coastal Carolina with a blue-shirt offer, continues to hear from a number of Power Five programs that are hinting at an offer. Tennessee, Ole Miss, Auburn and Syracuse have been in touch. And so has USC. Simmons has talked with new head coach Shane Beamer. Former linebackers coach Rod Wilson also made contact, and he hears as well from Director of Player Personnel Drew Hughes.
“I’ve been talking to Michigan State, Tennessee and them and just staying in contact,” Simmons said. “If nothing works out, you know, I’m staying home, and that’s a good thing. Coastal is a great spot and I’m excited about that. Just taking one day at a time and that’s about it.”
“South Carolina has kept in contact as well,” Simmons said. “And like I said with everybody else, just evaluating. They love the film. I’m still going to have have my heart at Coastal, but you know, it’s going to be some decisions.”
Simmons said he last talked with the Gamecocks before Christmas and he continues to get a positive vibe from them.
“They love me as a defensive end,” Simmons said. “They just see the dog. I have in me. . They know a lot of big time defensive linemen come to South Carolina. You know, I look like one of them. That’s what I am and they believe that as well.”
Recruiting will take a back seat Monday for Simmons as he has surgery to repair a torn labrum. No one can question his toughness. He said he tore the labrum during his junior season of football and then went thru wrestling season with it. He played with it again this season but it became bothersome to the point he felt he needed to be checked, and a 180-degree tear was discovered.
Playing with a torn labrum, Simmons still managed over 50 tackles and 11 sacks this season.
