Halfback Simmons visits Marshall; Temple still high on his list
Temple football coach Matt Rhule wrote last month on Twitter that he had received news "so good it makes me want to put a jet pack on and take off." Adam DiMichele, a former player and current assistant, wrote that the news could be a "game changer."
Temple football coach Matt Rhule wrote last month on Twitter that he had received news "so good it makes me want to put a jet pack on and take off." Adam DiMichele, a former player and current assistant, wrote that the news could be a "game changer."
The pair had to speak ambiguously. College coaches are not allowed to talk publicly about high school recruits. The Owls had received word that T.J. Simmons, a four-star running back from Florida, would be visiting campus the next weekend. It was the staff's chance to lock down Temple's highest-rated out-of-area recruit in more than decade.
A source said Simmons' three-day visit, which started Jan. 23, put the Owls in position to receive his commitment on Wednesday, national signing day. The senior from Lakeland (Fla.) Christian School spent last week at Marshall, but the source said nothing has changed. Simmons will announce his decision at his school on Wednesday morning. He will choose between Temple and Marshall. He would be Temple's second four-star recruit in the Class of 2015.
"I'm trying to be that guy to come in and make an impact," Simmons said. "In Temple's circumstance, if I commit to them, I have a chance to be one of the highest recruits they've ever had in school history. I have a chance to do a lot of great things."
The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder committed to UCLA last summer without visiting campus. Simmons said he was new to the process and made his decision early without checking out other schools. He withdrew his commitment to the Bruins last month, a few days before visiting Temple. He had chosen UCLA over offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, and others. Rivals.com ranks him as the 17th best running back in the Class of 2015.
"UCLA's a great school. I just wanted to open my recruitment and see other schools," Simmons said.
Simmons missed most of his senior season with a left leg injury. As a junior, he rushed for 1,257 yards on 130 carries. He has great speed and excellent footwork, which makes him an elusive runner.
Simmons said he liked his visit to Temple, which was also his first trip to Philadelphia. He said the program felt like a family and described Rhule as a "player's coach." The program is on the rise, he said.
"If I come in and work hard, which I plan to do, then I definitely believe I have a shot to be the guy against Penn State," Simmons said in a reference to the Owls' season opener. "That's always the goal. If I come in, I can be that guy."
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