In-state JUCO defensive lineman won’t be suiting up for Gamecock football this fall

South Carolina will be without one of its 2024 signees as it begins practice next week.

Defensive lineman Jerome Simmons, a junior college transfer who committed to South Carolina in early December, will not be a part of South Carolina’s football team in 2024. Gamecock Central was the first to report the news.

Simmons is not listed on USC’s online roster.

Simmons, a graduate of Bamberg Ehrhardt High with a tiny graduating class of 86, didn’t start playing defensive tackle until his senior year of high school and spent his first two collegiate seasons at Highland Community College in Kansas. He chose South Carolina over Georgia, Mississippi State and others.

The 6-foot-4, 333-pound Simmons was supposed to graduate in May then enroll at South Carolina this summer, but that won’t happen.

According to Gamecock Central “... the door is open for Simmons to join the program next January, should certain academic obligations be met.”

South Carolina will holds its first preseason practice on Aug. 2.