Simmons (6 feet 4 and 277 pounds), from Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County, is a national top-20 player and one of the top three defensive ends in the nation.
His decision takes away some of the sting of four-star wide receiver A.J. Brown of Starkville (Miss.) High signing with Ole Miss.
Simmons has the frame to potentially end up playing inside, as well as rush end in certain packages.
“He’s so strong at the point of attack against the run,” gridironnow.com recruiting editor Jamie Newberg said. “He has pretty good athleticism, speed and agility for a lineman of his size.