North Carolina Linebacker Notes Terps "Put a Lot of Players in the Pros"
Maryland extended an offer to Northwest Guilford (NC) linebacker Xavier Simmons early last week as the 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker is now up to double-digit offers heading into his junior season. The tenacious linebacker has shined in his first two years of high school football as the middle linebacker in Northwest Guilford’s 3-4 scheme, making the decision to offer Simmons as an inside linebacker as a no-brainer.
“Coach Helow, the linebackers coach called me and said he wanted to offer,” Simmons told All Terrapins. “He said he liked my film a lot, interested in me. He wants me to get up there to check it out for myself. I have a lot of respect for the university. They’ve put a lot of players in the pros, got a lot of respect for the head coach, coach [Mike] Locksley.” Simmons holds offers from schools closer to home like Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina and NC State but the Terps are hopeful the six-hour drive to College Park can coax out a later visit.
“We kept it pretty short, but he’s got a lot of coaching experience from what I’ve seen so I’m looking forward to talking to him more, learning more and building our relationship. All the teams that have offered me, just working on building the relationships so when things open up, I’m able to go out and check it out for myself.”
The junior linebacker hasn’t been able to venture to many of his suitors but when he does, he’ll give “definitely scheme and gameday atmosphere” a strong look as he begins to evaluate his early options. In the meantime, Simmons has his eyes set on a bevy of personal achievements as he hopes to put together strong junior film.
“Just working with more trainers, studying the game more so doing it every day. Different field drills and you do more on your own.” Simmons looks up to Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons as the North Carolina product knows he has a high ceiling to tap into.
“I’d say I’m very athletic, play multiple positions inside and out. High motor, get to the quarterback and force turnovers.” As he looks to top 220 pounds heading into the start of the expected spring season, a touted junior season will come to fruition if Simmons hits on his set goals.
“I want to get at least double-digit sacks, 100+ tackles, trying to get at least five-plus turnovers. Big season, I just want to standout really.”
