Freshman DL Derrick Simmons mentioned as a early fall camp standout

Only two out of the 18 total commits in Michigan State’s 2025 recruiting class were ranked as four-star prospects, according to 247Sports. Dejae White, the linebacker out of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, is one of them. The other, however, has been a common standout thus far, just a few days into summer camp.

Derrick Simmons received some recent praise from Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith at his post-practice press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

When asked if any player on the roster immediately stands out, Smith stated, “Derrick Simmons is a beast.”

Simmons held offers from Illinois, Purdue, and Northwestern amongst other schools coming out of high school in Frankenmuth, Mich. He was originally rated as a three-star prospect, but was promoted to a four-star after his senior season.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 297 pounds, Simmons has been reported to be a “monster” at camp this year. And with some high immediate praise from the Spartan head coach, his path to greatness only becomes clearer.

Of course, Simmons is not projected to make the starting rotation this season, but that does not mean he will not crack the defensive line rotation. Senior Grady Kelly and junior Alex VanSumeren will start at least at the beginning of the season, but as the year develops, do not be surprised to hear Simmons’s name being called multiple times in one night.

There might not be many flashy sacks on the box score for Simmons, but the former Eagle will be productive as a gap filler in the trenches, and aiding in a main goal of stopping opposing teams run games.