Gwinnett Daily Post

For the bulk of the recruiting process, Corey Simmons wasn't a highly coveted college football prospect.

The Greater Atlanta Christian senior had the size and ability to play at a big-time school, but for whatever reasons never garnered the attention.

That all changed last week. Simmons received a scholarship offer from South Carolina and committed to the Gamecocks on Sunday.

"I think they looked at my tape and saw that I could play," Simmons said. "They came down and looked at me last week and they liked my frame, maybe that's what it was."

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Simmons also had an offer from North Carolina Central and was drawing interest from Kent State.

"I just think that he can get in an SEC program, get some weight on him and he's got a shot," former GAC head coach Ken Robinson said.

Simmons, the son of former NFL player Clyde Simmons, was a two-way starter at defensive end and tight end for Greater Atlanta Christian.

He was being recruited as a defensive end.

Simmons made 24 catches for 324 yards and three touchdowns and had 35 tackles, two sacks and one interception.

"They are a good program that is on its way up and I just want to be a part of that," Simmons said. "I'm excited to be playing against great competition every week."

Simmons is the second GAC player to make a commitment to an SEC program. Last week wide receiver Julian Horton committed to Arkansas.