Darryle Simmons adds to ExitLight18

Firstly, happy Mother’s Day. I know I appreciate my mother for putting up with me for all these years; I hope all the mothers out there that might read this article know how special they are.

But I don’t think that Justin Fuente planned…well, at least, ever expected to receive…a Mother’s Day present. Today Philadelphia wide receiver Darryle Simmons committed to Virginia Tech. Simmons is the seventh commitment to the Hokies, and the first (or second or third, depending on how you view both DeJuan Ellis and Bryce Thompson, who are ‘athletes’) receiver in the class. He’s also the second Pennsylvanian recruit. None of the recruits so far are from Virginia, showing that the depth in Virginia this year isn’t amazing and that Coach Fuente is more willing to go out in America and recruit players from other regions in the US. Simmons chose Tech over primarily Penn State, but received offers from Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pitt, Wisconsin, and Kentucky among others. He’s currently rated as a three/four star recruit depending on the recruiting service. Rivals is the highest on him, where he’s rated #198 in the nation, the fortieth best wide receiver, and the eighth best player in Pennsylvania- a four star recruit. ESPN has him as the fifty-ninth best wide receiver, the eleventh best in his state; four stars overall. 247Sports has him at the fifty-fifth best receiver, the tenth best player in Pennsylvania, but a high three-star. And Scout has him the lowest, as the seventy-fifth best wide receiver, but the east’s eighth best wide receiver, and yet a three star recruit. He’s not ranked in their top ‘numbered’ group at all. Just goes to show you that evaluations can definitely vary across-the-board.

Let’s take a look for ourselves.

Darryle Simmons (Philadelphia, PA. 6’-2”, 210lbs. Wide Receiver)

Simmons reminds me of a cross between Eric Kumah and Isaiah Ford. He might honestly be a bit faster than either of those two- I personally think that Simmons is more ‘toolsy’. He’s already got the college frame and size, and his frame doesn’t look like it’s even really full sized or bulked up. He IS a one-on-one ball catching artist with good balance and strength, and I always approve when wide receivers post in their blocking highlights. But he’s a man-on playmaker, with some decent footwork and room to both grow and grow his game. He might not be needed instantly with this young wide receiving corps, so he has time to do both.

Welcome to the Hokies, Darryle!