Film Room: Quintin Simmons

Wide receiver is a premium position in modern college football. Programs are always looking for athletes on the outside who can create separation and explosive plays. Kentucky’s strong work on the recruiting trail at the position continued on Monday when Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow wide receiver Quintin Simmons committed to the Wildcats.

Vince Marrow is on the board in the 2025 recruiting cycle as Simmons joins Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt quarterback Stone Saunders in the class. Kentucky is in the middle of an offensive coordinator search, but recruiting never stops. Simmons will have a great chance to fill a need for the Wildcats in the future.

KSR’s Film Room is taking a closer look at the tape to see what the latest four-star recruiting win for Kentucky football can bring to Kroger Field. Quintin Simmons is a true speed weapon who generates explosive plays with the ball in his hands.

Quintin Simmons will provide splash play creation

Quintin Simmons was a walking big play for Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow as a junior. The top 300 prospect and top-15 recruit in Ohio made things happen with the football in his hands. Withrow would use the skill talent weapon in multiple ways. The No. 1 goal was to get this playmaker the football whether on offense or in the kicking game.

Big plays followed when Simmons got touches. The junior scored touchdowns as a tailback, wide receiver, and returner in 2023.

The newest Kentucky commit flashes speed both as a tailback and a receiver. On the outside run, Simmons plants his left foot and explodes through the opening for an explosive play touchdown. On the go route just outside of the high red zone, Simmons easily glides past the cornerback for the easy pitch-and-catch touchdown.

There is legitimate speed on display in Simmons’ junior tape. The wide receiver is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

In quick game, the long strider flashes some change of direction to go along with long speed. That makes the receiver a dangerous weapon with the football in his hands in space. When Simmons has the rock the junior has shown the ability to create explosive plays.

More speed at wide receiver

Kentucky has valued speed at the wide receiver position in recent recruiting cycles. Quintin Simmons checks that box. The Ohio native clocked a reported 10.76 in the 100m as a junior at Cincinnati Withrow.

The tape shows that speed translating to the football field.

Simmons is a long strider with some open-field wiggle who can accelerate to top gear quickly and sprint away from defenders. There is not much shown from a route-running aspect on tape, but there is the required skill set to allow the prospect to grow in that area. Simmons flashes good change of direction and sharp cutting ability. That should help him grow his route tree.

The newest Kentucky commit is a player that Withrow wants to get the football in any way possible. The class of 2025 prospect could make an immediate impact as a returner due to his ability to run with the football. Kentucky has landed a high-ceiling prospect with a translatable skill set. Quintin Simmons could make an early impact in the return game and has WR1 potential in a college offense due to potential to become an outside receiver with vertical field stretching speed.