Giant Transfer Talent Lands on NC State Football Wishlist
Western Carolina senior offensive lineman Derek Simmons revealed his entry into the transfer portal on Tuesday morning. And suitors, including the NC State football coaches, quickly began piling up for the 6-foot-6, 325-pounder.
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Within the first 12 hours since entering the portal, Simmons has advertised offers from NC State, Liberty, Pitt, Houston, Toledo, Western Kentucky, USF, Duke, ECU, Cal, Michigan State, Texas, USF, and Georgia Tech. In other words, he's garnering interest from a variety of levels across the country.
Simmons, a former unrated 2020 prep out of Jacksonville, Fla., began his college career at Tusculum, then Abilene Christian, before spending the past two seasons suiting up for the Catamounts after sitting out a year due to transfer rules. Following a promising junior campaign as a Western Carolina starter, he stepped up his impact as a senior this go-round, earning All-Southern Conference Second Team honors.
ππππ¨π§π ππππ¦ ππ₯π₯ - ππ¨ππ¨π§ π #LOTE pic.twitter.com/iUzI3jbn77
β Western Carolina Football (@CatamountsFB) November 26, 2024
Derek Simmons announced his Wolfpack offer via the following post on Tuesday afternoon:
Blessed to receive an offer from NC StateβͺοΈπ΄ @Coach2J @CoachAlexFaulk pic.twitter.com/CAjIQrdHqQ
β Derek Simmons (@DerekSimmons66) November 26, 2024
The seasoned bruiser, who was on the field in Carter-Finley Stadium for Western Carolina's 38-21 loss to the Wolfpack on Aug. 29, is the first transfer in this cycle to report an offer from NC State football head coach Dave Doeren and his staff.
There's no word on Derek Simmons' timeline for choosing his next destination. He will have one year of eligibility remaining wherever he ends up.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.