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Recruiting: Hertford's Simmons is 'sleeper' prospect

By Sammy Batten

Jun 4, 2008

When it comes to “sleeper’’ prospects in North Carolina for 2009, Hertford County’s Will Simmons is the biggest of the bunch.

Literally, the biggest.

Simmons stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 305 pounds. And that’s 50 pounds smaller than the offensive lineman was back in January.

“This kid has been getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning to work with a personal trainer, he’s been dieting, working out after school and running on Sunday mornings before church,’’ Hertford County coach Diego Hasty said. “I’ve been coaching for over 30 years and he is the hardest working, most dedicated big man I’ve ever coached.’’

The dedication and intensity shown by Simmons at a variety of combines and camps this spring has prompted some limited interest to date. East Carolina became the first to offer a scholarship in February.

The Pirates and others had to be impressed by reports about Simmons during the Nike Camp in Chapel Hill held in early May.

During the very first play in a one-on-one drill, Simmons butted heads with a defensive lineman, opening up a bloody gash over his eye. Simmons slapped a band aid on the cut and went right back to work.

“He kept right on going and then after the camp he went and got stitches,’’ Hasty said. “There is no quit in him. He plays to exhaustion. He loves competition. He gets mad at the combines when he can’t go one-on-one.’’

Hasty believes more offers will come Simmons’ way after a busy June in which he plans to attend one-day camps at Alabama, Maryland, N.C. State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Penn State is another possible camp destination for Simmons.

Hasty expects Simmons, who carries a 3.5 grade point average, to make a decision on his college choice before the 2008 high school season begins in late August.

“He wants to have a commitment done before the season gets going so he can just play football,’’ Hasty said. “He really likes East Carolina and he has a great relationship with (offensive line) Coach (Steve) Shankweiler.

“But I told him, ‘See what the other guys say to you.’’’

Simmons can certainly call on the experience of some talented former teammates at Hertford in deciding on his college choice.

In recent years, Hertford County has produced major-college players such as wide receiver Marcus Bond (formerly of N.C. State), defensive tackle Tydreke Powell (UNC) and wide receiver Danny Dembry (Wake Forest).

Simmons has been a four-year varsity football starter at Hertford County, and he also competes in the shot and discus for the track and field team.

Hasty describes Simmons as a strong run blocker who needs to work on his footwork and pass-blocking skills.

“This program has always been a running team, so that’s what he’s done mainly for us,’’ Hasty said. “Will is a mauler when it comes to pass blocking.

“He’s become more flexible and agile this year. At his last combine he had a broad jump of eight feet, 11 inches. So he’s athletic, too.’’

Hasty believes Simmons can play guard or tackle at the college level. He’ll shift from tackle to guard next season for Hertford, and will probably see action on the defensive line as well.

Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.