JUCO DL Jerome Simmons commits to South Carolina

Highland (Kan.) Community College three-star defensive lineman Jerome Simmons has committed to South Carolina, he announced on Monday.

The Bamberg (S.C.) native visited Columbia over the weekend and has now pledged to Shane Beamer and Co. Simmons also held an offer from Georgia and had interest from the likes of Coastal Carolina and Louisiana.

He ranks as the No. 15 overall JUCO prospect and No. 2 DL, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

For more South Carolina recruiting intel, check out Gamecock Central.

“Everything was cool. It was just nice to be back home for a little bit. I talked to the coaches. He (Shane Beamer) is hoping for me to come back,” Simmons told Gamecock Central following his official visit over the weekend.

Simmons does not have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

South Carolina boasts Top-20 recruiting class in 2024 cycle

Following the commitment of Simmons, South Carolina now has 17 commits in its 2024 recruiting class, which ranks No. 19 in the nation and No. 10 in the SEC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Headlining the class is a pair of five-star prospects in Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Dylan Stewart and Dillon (S.C.) five-star offensive tackle Josiah Thompson. Both are the No. 3 player at their respective positions. Stewart checks in as the No. 13 recruit, while Thompson sits at No. 26 overall.

“What led me to commit to them is the family vibe and they really care about you,” Stewart told On3. “Two, it’s the SEC. Three, I know I’m going to get developed because my coaches have done it at all levels and know what it takes. I click with the guys committed in the 2024 class and I’m very comfortable there. It’s like a second home to me.”

Four other SC pledges are top-200 recruits in the On3 Industry Ranking: Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day four-star tight end Michael Smith, Marietta (Ga.) Walton four-star EDGE Wendell Gregory, Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland four-star OT Kam Pringle and Greenville (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett.