Simmons Visits Hometown School

The Pitt basketball program is trying hard to attract elite talent and yesterday they hosted an elite prospect for the Class of 2017. Intersting twist to that is that player is also from Western Pennsylvania.

Jarrod Simmons (6-7, 210) plays for Cushing Acdemy in Massachusetts but before that grew up in Pittsburgh. In fact, his parents and two sisters are still in the area, living in Pittsburgh.

“Going away to school was an awesome situation that I couldn’t turn down. My family had a prep background and felt it was something I could benefit from”, said Simmons.

From the offers he’s already received, Simmons is doing quite well at Cushing Academy. Simmons tells DreamBackfield.com that he currently holds offers from Pitt, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Temple and St. Bonaventure. Obviously, the offer from Pitt was special.

“Getting the offer meant a lot because I grew up in the area. Really felt like my hard work was paying off and motivated me to work even harder. Pitt is definitely a place I’ll seriously consider going. Going to school close to home and having a strong fan base is something that really appeals to me”, said Simmons.

With that being said, Simmons made it clear that he’s long way from committing to any school and won’t probably know where he wants to go until this time next year.

Until then, Simmons plans on checking out different schools like he did yesterday visiting Pitt.

“Thr day was great, started off meeting with Coach Dixon and Coach Barton. Then meeting a couple of the players and then taking a tour of the campus.” Simmons went on to say, “Brandin Knight was also there and it was awesome for him to give me insight on what going to Pitt is really like.”

Simmons spent a lot of time with Dixon which is really strengthening their relationship.

“The relationship is definitely close. Coach Dixon and Barton check in regularly and make me feel like they are really interested in me not only as a player but as a person”, said Simmons.

Here’s how Simmons described himself as a player and you tell me if this doesn’t sound like a Jamie Dixon type player.

“I’d describe my game as high motor player and a dirty work player.  Someone willing to do the work no one else wants to do in order to win the game.”

You can’t talk to a potential Pitt recruit without asking them about playing in front of the Oakland Zoo.

“It would mean a lot. The Oakland Zoo is one of the best in country and having friends and family able to cheer me on and be close to home would mean a lot.”

There’s a long ways to go in the recruitment of Jarrod Simmons but there’s no doubt Pitt will be a serious contender for him.