Interview: College Programs Making an Impression on 4-Star 2022 North Carolina LB Xavier Simmons
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The athletic skills are there to play multiple positions, and he does, but when Northwest Guilford High School was on defense during the 2019 season, a star was born. In his first season playing Mike, Xavier Simmons went to town on North Carolina offenses tallying 90 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Adding to Simmons’ rising folklore, he helped out the Vikings offense rushing for 208 yards with two touchdowns off 15 carries and secured seven passes for 89 more yards. The productivity and upside of the 6-3, 215-pound, four-star recruit has brought 11 offers spanning the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten among others.
In an RNG first-look, Simmons visits the Lab detailing his workouts and recruiting process with a look at programs he would like to visit in 2021.
Interview
Xavier, you were the boss in the middle of the defense for the Vikings last season. Looking back, how did your sophomore season go overall for you personally?
I think it went well. This is actually my first year focusing on linebacker; I have I bulked up. In middle school, I was more about offense playing receiver. For my first year playing linebacker, I think it went well.
Agreed. Running a 4-3 playing middle linebacker, how did your skills improve throughout the 2019 season?
It improved a lot. Reading my keys and reading the guards, that helped. I had to learn a lot on the fly and I was doing a lot of drills to pick up the position. I picked up more as the season went on, but I am really looking forward to this season in the spring.
Your burst to the ball and hard hitting was next level stuff. What were some of the other key traits to your talents on defense would you consider strengths?
Getting to the quarterback, even just getting pressure on him forcing bad throws, that is something I can do with my speed. My lateral quickness, I am good in coverage, and I have been working on that this offseason, and doing zone drops.
The coaching staff also worked you into the offense as a running back and receiving target. Where all were you lining up and how did the offensive coordinator work to get the rock into your hands?
They wanted to get it to me quickly. My coach saw how quick I was, so they set up short throws so I could make plays. I averaged 13 yards per carry. All the plays were something quick.
When the 2020 season gets going in North Carolina, will we see more of you on offense?
A little bit, but kind of the same thing. I will focus more on defense going forward, but my time on offense will be about the same.
How are you preparing for that role this offseason?
By working with my team and going over plays. I will be doing a lot of the same stuff from last season, getting the ball in my hands quickly.
What are some of the drills you are doing to prepare for your junior run on defense?
A lot of block shedding with the bags, shuffling, pursuit drills, zone drops, and attacking the ball drills.
How have you added more power to your skillset this offseason?
I keep it simple, squats, bench press, power cleans, lunges, pushups too.
Did you get to max out this spring or summer?
No. The last time I was able to max out was back in January. Then, my bench was 245 and my squat was 415. I am not sure how much I have improved on my maxes since then.
Did you get to post a 40-yard dash time this offseason?
Yes, I ran a hand timed 4.50.
Nice. Let’s close talking about recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Penn State, Alabama, Clemson, Louisville, and Wake Forest.
How many offers are you holding?
Eleven.
Simmons’ Offer Sheet: Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Howard, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech
Which program was the first to offer you?
South Carolina.
Which programs have been the last couple to offer?
Maryland, Virginia, and my latest was Oklahoma.
Impressive. Once visits are allowed again in 2021, are there any schools you’d like to go see?
I’d like to get to South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Duke. Those four I am planning on visiting and some others.
Xavier, it was great getting time in with you today. Keep up the grind preparing for your junior season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Simmons family; Xavier Simmons