Interview: 4-Star 2021 OL Josh Simmons Set to Terrorize on Defense in 2020

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

With a Division-I college football frame matched with off the charts strength and speed along with a heavy dose of determination, there is no equivalent on the California gridiron to Class of 2021 lineman Josh Simmons. The four-star recruit stretches the tape to 6-6.5, and weighs down the scales to a slimmed down 280, with a clocked 4.9 40-yard dash on the resume. Rising up through the ranks with San Diego’s Madison High School, Simmons earned his 22 scholarship offers as a guard. During his senior season, he will be able to show college coaches that he can play left tackle and along the defensive line with Helix High School.

As is the case with every soon-to-be senior, recruits are looking ahead to the summer with the hopes that campuses open back up for official and unofficial visits; Simmons is no different. In a return to the RNG Lab, Simmons covers his offseason workouts and opens up about his potential summer recruiting visits.

Interview

Josh, how did the 2019 season go for you overall?

“It was good. It was great. I was lighter, quicker, more explosive, and I was getting my hands onto guys quicker. I was driving quicker and faster. After trimming down, that was very effective for me. I was quicker off the ball.”

What offensive set did you run with Madison last season?

“We were running out of an I-formation.”

Did you track your pancakes and/or knockdown blocks?

“I’d say roughly five a game, somewhere around there. Against San Marcos, I had eight in that game.”

In the time provided, how did your game improve as a right guard?

“I was more athletic and my technique was more stable, it was not shaky. All of that had tightened up. My quickness improved. They tried to move me to tackle, that is where they had me in the last game I played for Madison; I was there for the whole game, it was a good fit. It felt good there.”

Your strength coming out of the weight room has always been impressive. Where are you at with your maxes?

“Bench is at 395, squat is 415, and my power clean is 255.”

Once the ball is teed up for the 2020 season with Helix, where all will we see you on the field?

“You will see me everywhere. I am playing everything on defense from tackle to end. I am running a 4.9 40-yard dash now. My body has transformed since the last time we saw each other. I am an Aaron Donald type. My speed and quickness is beyond what it used to be. On offense, I am playing left tackle and offensive guard. I will be playing the whole trench this season.”

Given the big season ahead for you, what all have you been working on this offseason?

“Getting stronger and keeping my speed and quickness.”

Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?

“LSU, Alabama, Texas, Washington, and Clemson.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Twenty-two.”

Which programs were the last few to offer?

“San Jose State, Kansas and UNLV.”

Simmons’ Offer Sheet: Arizona, Colorado, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, San Diego State, San Jose State, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Utah State, and Washington State

When campuses open back up, do you have any planned official and/or unofficial visits you may take?

“Most definitely. Miami will probably be an unofficial and I have one to LSU – I am not sure if that one will be an official or unofficial yet.”

Given your high-profile recruiting status, I am guessing all the college coaches want to know when you might commit. Have you started thinking about a commitment date?

“That will be down the road, no time soon. When I get my top five down, it will be after that.”

How are you handling the recruiting process with all the schools coming at you?

“Every program out there has a shot at landing me. I am not a kid that is going to the biggest or flashiest program because they are the biggest or flashiest. For me, it is more about gelling with the staff. I don’t want other schools to think they do not have a shot with me. That is nowhere near the case.”

Josh, it is always a pleasure catching up with you. Keep up the hard work this spring.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Madison HS/Simmons family; Josh Simmons