Five-star defensive end Jeffery Simmons committed to Mississippi State on Signing Day, picking the Bulldogs over Ole Miss and Alabama.
MSU loses a lot next year, particularly quarterback Dak Prescott, but this should ease some of that pain and help the defense add some serious talent in a tough SEC West.
More importantly, the Bulldogs were able to beat out Ole Miss for the best recruit in the state. The Rebels have had a lot of recruiting success and were challenging for the top class in the country, so this could help reverse some of that momentum, and turn it in favor of MSU.
And Simmons made his choice in an extremely snazzy suit.
Jeffery Simmons, y'all. Best dressed man this side of the Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/cqfeBmP4vf
— Robby Donoho (@RobbyDonoho) February 3, 2016
Simmons, out of Noxubee County (Miss.), is ranked as the best player in Mississippi, the third-best defensive end in the country and the 19th-best overall player, according to the 247Sports composite ratings. At 6-foot-3.5, 277 pounds, Simmons is a big player who has the potential to start immediately in college.
Simmons has seen his stock rise since the turn of the new year, particularly after a dominating performance at the U.S. Army All-American Game, and he added a fifth star after that game. That's the kind of trajectory that can help make him a force in college from the start of his career.
If Simmons opted to stay in-state and go to Ole Miss, he'd be going to a program that's no stranger to getting top defensive line commits. The Rebels are looking to replace their last top defensive end recruit, Robert Nkemdiche, and Simmons seems up to the task. Ole Miss is considered the favorite by the 247Sports crystal ball analysts, ahead of Mississippi State.
SB Nation Recruiting's Bud Elliott thought the Rebels were going to be the winner here.
Simmons is one heckuva prospect with great size and should immediately contribute as a run defender. In time he could become a plus pass rusher as well. I think the Ole Miss Rebels will beat out Alabama and Mississippi State for this five-star prospect.
Check out Simmons' highlights: