#STRecruiting: #Gamecocks land commitment from JC DT Jerome Simmons

USC football coach Shane Beamer sent out one commitment alert from the weekend of official visits with a group of transfers, and Monday morning Bamberg native DT Jerome Simmons (6-4 333) of Highland JC, KS emerged as the source for that alert. Simmons announced a commitment to the Gamecocks. He will graduate next spring and then enroll with three years to play two.

Gamecock defensive line coach Travian Robertson offered Simmons in October. Simmons also had offers from Mississippi State, Marshall, Jackson State, Jacksonville State, Buffalo, Charlotte, Akron and McNeese State.

Simmons said Sunday night that Robertson showed him on his official visit how he would have the chance to come in and make an impact on the defense.

“He told me I definitely have an opportunity.  All I have to do is show that I can work, and I’ll definitely will be playing,” Simmons said. “I got to sit there and really absorb all the information he was telling me. It was good to have my family there too so they could see the point the coaches were coming from and how I would be used in their defense, so they could understand why they need me.”

Simmons also visited USC for the Clemson game and saw from that experience what he believes will be a bright future with the Gamecocks.

“It’s a progress that’s happening there right now,” Simmons said.  “They are going to be a pretty good team down the road. I like a three-man front. That’s pretty much what I did in high school, so I can definitely fit in with a three-man front.”  

This season Simmons had 26 tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery. Last year he totaled 24 tackles with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Simmons is the Gamecocks’ 17th commitment for the 2024 class and the first interior defensive lineman for the class.