Western Carolina OT Transfer Derek Simmons Working to Schedule Kentucky Visit After Recent Offer

Kentucky football is starting to make moves in the transfer portal. UK extended an offer to Western Carolina offensive line transfer Derek Simmons on Friday.

The 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive tackle is a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. Simmons told KSR+ shortly after receiving the offer that he’s in the process of setting a visit to UK.

“We’re working on a visit now,” Simmons said. “We’ll know more as the weekend comes.”

Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford was the one to extend Simmons with the offer. Simmons said it was “an honor.”

“He was straightforward with me about how things would go,” Simmons said. “It went well.”

Simmons said he’s watched Kentucky play a lot throughout the last several years. He’s heard good things about Coach Wolford, calling him “a really good offensive line coach with a good history.”

“I feel like I’ll fit in fine,” Simmons said. “[Coach Wolford] is going to coach me up hard and help me figure out what I need to do to be a better football player at that level. It’s just a matter of me working and listening to his ideas and critiques of what I need fixed.”

A Timeline for a Decision

Derek Simmons officially entered the transfer portal on Nov. 26. He’s already heard from “well over 30” schools in less than two weeks.

“The biggest thing for me with entering the portal was just getting to that next level so I can play in the NFL,” Simmons said. “After this last year, the last step is needed for me to perform and push myself to the NFL.”

Simmons has already set visits to Texas Tech (Dec. 9-10), Pittsburgh (Dec. 12-13), and Georgia Tech (TBD). He’s looking to commit by Jan. 1.

“I’m pushing for the 1st,” Simmons said. “That can change. It can be earlier, but it just comes down to how I feel.”

Simmons mentioned a good atmosphere, good competition, and “a family-oriented place” as being three big factors in his decision. He wants it to be an open environment.

“I want to come into a place with good energy and a family-oriented team with players together,” Simmons said. “No walls, no barriers, and everybody is on the same page.”

Derek Simmons’ Game

Derek Simmons began his college career at Tusculum University, where he played in just one game before transferring to Abilene Christian. After spending the 2021 season at Abilene Christian, he transferred to Western Carolina, sitting out the 2022 season due to transfer rules. Simmons played in six games during the 2023 season and 10 games during the 2024 season.

“My greatest strengths are how quickly I get off the ball, whether it’s outside zone or inside zone, and getting to the second level,” Simmons said.