Tyler Simmons was expected to have a tidy little SEC decision. UGA, Alabama and Texas A&M were expected to be the big players for his signature.
A new contender has now entered the fray. The 3-star receiver from McEachern High School told DawgNation on Tuesday he will take his first official visit to Cal this weekend. That’s not the only news for Simmons.
- He feels his UGA offer is committable, but he isn’t sure what he would do if a couple more receivers committed first.
- Texas A&M is still an option, but that program doesn’t have any WR slots open. His chances with the Aggies hinge on an early entry to the NFL Draft. He also mentioned redshirting as a possibility if he opted not to graduate early.
- He wanted to visit Alabama for the LSU game but was advised to visit on a less hectic weekend. That would allow for a more intimate visit.
- Duke has entered the picture.
- He doesn’t have a specific timetable in mind, but can enroll early in January.
UGA is chasing 5-star Kyle Davis, 4-star Tre’ Nixon and 3-star Grant Holloway. Simmons said he’s not certain where he sits on UGA’s board.
“I feel I am pretty high on their list,” Simmons said. “I’m not sure if one of those guys commits if they will keep talking to other receivers. I do feel that if some of them do not commit to UGA, then the other receivers will probably become a very high priority at UGA.”
UGA currently has four receiver commitments for 2016. He said that five or six commitments might change the way he looks at UGA.
“With five receivers committed and competing for positions then some people are going to redshirt and some people will get to play their freshman year,” Simmons said. “It will be a big competition. Other than that I would like to go somewhere that I have some sense or probability of starting. At Georgia, they said there is a possibility of that.”
Simmons said UGA, Alabama and Cal are recruiting him the hardest right now. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder stated UGA’s Bryan McClendon and Cal’s Jacob Peeler were the recruiters he feels he has the best relationships with.
He plans to study physical therapy in college. He believes the depth charts at Cal and UGA set up the best for him to receive immediate playing time.
“Coming into the recruiting process I can honestly say I wasn’t looking at the academic side of things,” Simmons said. “But now that I have narrowed things down I have really started to look at this decision from the academic side. That’s why I am looking at Cal. I have to choose a school where even if football doesn’t work out I need to sign somewhere I can be academically successful. I’m looking for a place that can give me a great job and a great career after school.”
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.