London Simmons, a 6-foot-2.5, 305-pound defensive lineman from Hartfield Academy in Flowood, Mississippi, has committed to the University of Alabama. Simmons revealed the decision on Sunday evening after taking an official visit with the Crimson Tide this weekend.
Simmons has seen his stock rise since after a body transformation that saw him drop 35-pounds during the off-season. Alabama extended him an offer during the spring evaluation period (4/24) after an initial in-person evaluation. Simmons noted that the staff led by area recruiter/defensive line coach Freddie Roach was in contact “3-4 times” each week since the first meeting.
“The biggest thing is to win,” Simmons told BOL after committing to the Crimson Tide. “Looking at Coach DeBoer’s winning record, he’s like 104-12. So, he knows how to win. I feel like Alabama is in good hands with Coach DeBoer. Great hands.”-CLICK HERE to read the in-depth interview with Simmons on his decision.
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Alabama adds beef to the defensive front
Alabama was, in fact, the first P4 conference to offer Simmons. He set the official visit within a few weeks, and also decided to attend the Tide’s camp earlier this month (5/31). It was his first time stepping on campus. BOL previously reported that UA was beyond impressed.
He had made an impression on Coach Roach in the spring, but the performance was then seen in front of Coach Kalen DeBoer and the other staff members who had not seen Simmons prior to camp.
“I was like, ‘Might as well get some work in with somebody who believes in me,’” Simmons told BamaOnLine after attending camp earlier this month. “It felt great getting some one-on-one time with him. Seeing how he coaches and critiques me. I love it. Technique-wise, if I didn’t do something really right, I needed to do it again. I need to get it down pat. It was awesome.”
It was clear that Alabama was hoping to close on its second defensive line commit this weekend with the heavy attention on the Magnolia State product. He had previously considered announcing a decision in July. Simmons joins Antonio Coleman, four-star from Saraland High School in Ala., on the Crimson Tide’s current DL board.
“Just the atmosphere,” Simmons said told BOL on May 17 regarding his interest in the Crimson Tide. “Them being a team that gets a lot of players to the league. It’s an opening to get to the league. Obviously, the player development is there because they build your body to what it needs to be and get you to the league.”
Simmons recorded 80 tackles during the 2023 season. The impressive numbers also included 15 sacks, 25 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
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