WHAT
HE DID
Simmons developed into one of the top weak-
side defensive end prospects in the country during his time at
DeMatha Catholic. As a senior, he made 82 total tackles, in-
cluding 23 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He also forced three
fumbles, helping DeMatha claim its third consecutive Wash-
ington Catholic Athletic Conference championship.
WHAT HE WON Awarded four stars by Rivals.com, Simmons
is the sixth-ranked defensive end in the country, the 104th -
ranked overall player and the No. 4 player in Maryland. In
December, he was named Defensive Player of the Year by The
Washington Post. A few weeks later, he took part in the Under
Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla., and was one of
the breakout stars of the practice sessions leading up to the
Jan. 2 all-star contest. Rivals.com analyst Adam Friedman
said that opposing o=ensive tackles "had a very hard time
catching up to his outside speed rush."
WHERE HE VISITED Simmons was one of the nation's most
heavily recruited defensive ends, with Alabama, Ohio State
and Florida State among others pursuing him hard. But he
committed to Penn State in July 2014, and during the next 18
months he held culties, Shelton was a standout player, cial visit to Champaign. However, Shelton was
continuing to explore his options, and in late January he de-
committed from Illinois and arranged an o>cial visit to Rut-
gers. One day a?er he returned from Piscataway, Penn State
extended an o=er, and on Jan. 30 he accepted it, helping
