2025 DL Jyon Simon commits to Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines three-star defensive lineman Jyon Simon has accrued an impressive offer list throughout his recruitment.

The likes of Tennessee, Texas, USC and Auburn all made their respective moves to try and land the 6-foot-2, 260-pounder, but no program showed Simon love the way that Rutgers did. As a result, he announced his pledge to the Scarlet Knights on Thursday.

“I made my decision off the love they were showing me,” Simon told On3 of his decision. “Letters, Facetime calls, check-up calls and things like that… then going up the jersey and seeing it in person felt like home.”

Simon was in Piscataway last week. His visit was the icing on the cake, as the positive in-person impression he received was enough for him to pull the trigger on his pledge to head coach Greg Schiano and the staff in Jersey.

“I told Coach Schiano, Coach H(arasymiak), Coach Ferrell, and Coach Camp(enni) when I made my decision earlier this week,” Simon said. “They all were truly ecstatic about my decision.”

“On my visit, the atmosphere, the players, the positive feel stood out to me. It definitely felt like somewhere I can be for 3-4 years.”

Defensive line coach Collin Ferrell and defensive ends coach Julian Campenni helped Rutgers beat out some major programs for Simon’s pledge. The lineman has developed solid relationships with the Knights’ staff.

“I really like Coach Camp and Coach Ferrell. I like their personality, the way they teach the game, their why they do what they do every day, they are great guys,” Simon said.

“My commitment came down to relationships, scheme, teaching, and academics, and trust.”

Simon is now the second Sunshine State product committed to Rutgers in the 2025 cycle, joining Saint Augustine Creekside three-star quarterback Sean Ashenfelder. Simon is the No. 754 overall prospect and No. 66 DL in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.