Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin wasted no time in the evaluation period as he hit the road running this week with stops all across the northeast to see defensive players.
One stop he made was to see linebacker Jahvoni Simmons (6-2, 225, Virginia Beach, VA Ocean Lakes) workout and to meet with his coaches.
“Coach [D.J.] Durkin came by the schools on Tuesday,” Simmons said. “It was pretty good, he just watched us work out and he talked to some of the coaches. It was good to see him there though and I know he was watching me close and he was talking to my coach a lot.”
The Gators have yet to offer the top linebacker from Virginia but an offer could be coming soon according to Simmons.
“They didn’t offer yet but I think they will shortly,” Simmons said. “He has been telling me that they are very interested in me but they are going to continue evaluate me. Coach Durkin said that he would be back this spring to watch me practice again and see if I could compete against them Florida boys.”
When Durkin left the school on Wednesday Simmons gave him a call to see what he thought of the linebacker and Durkin laid out a clear message to him.
“Coach Durkin said on the phone that he likes the way I’m growing and keeping my speed,” Simmons said. “He said the question is just whether or not I will be big enough to play in the SEC and if I can move well enough when I get bigger.
If Florida does offer Simmons like he believes they will, then it will be a big one as the Virginia linebacker has interest in the Gators.
“I’m very interested in Florida if they offer me,” Simmons said. “I mean its Florida and I’ve watched them on TV when I was little. I know they struggled last year but I think they will be better next year. I’m going to visit them if they offer me this spring.”