Simon Picks Up More Offers

Palm Beach Lakes safety Johnnie Simon had a strong junior season a year ago, but he has taken his play to a new level this fall. The 6-foot, 180-pound hard hitter moved to free safety for the first part of the year where he has proved to be one of the top safeties in South Florida for the 2010 class.

Monday night Simon received phone calls from Rutgers, University of Buffalo, and Arkansas State all letting him know they are offering. The increased attention caught Simon off guard a bit; whose other offers include Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Middle Tennessee State

“I think it’s from the Jupiter game, I don’t know,” said Simon. “I had an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble return to the one.”

Rutgers told Simon they are looking at him to play another position for them, one he has not played much in high school.

“Coach (Brian) Jenkins called me and asked me how I’d like playing cornerback, because they need corners. I told him I’d rather play safety, but I can learn how to play corner too. He said they were sending one (offer) in the mail.”

As signing day closes in, several of the schools to offer are jockeying to set up official visits with Simon.

“University of Buffalo and Arkansas State, they told me they wanted me to come around December, but I told them I already have Central Michigan and Western Michigan in December. It’s no official dates yet though. I told Rutgers I would like to visit them before I make any type of decision.”

In recent weeks, Simon has also heard from Wisconsin, Boston College, and Arkansas as well, but none has come forward with an offer.

This week Simon and his Palm Beach Lakes teammates face a talented Pahokee team.

“They have a lot of talented players over there, but I’m just hoping to keep my defense up, make big plays on the field and give our offense the ball as much as we can,” said Simon. “They moved me down to linebacker because of injuries, but for the Pahokee game I think I’m moving back to safety. I might play outside linebacker for a little bit.”