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Decision preview: Four-star running back James Simon to announce at the On3 Elite Series

by:Charlie Williams05/29/24
james-simon-makes-louisiana-history-with-state-championship-mvp-honor
2025 4-star RB James Simon. (Billy Embody - On3)

The Texas Longhorns already have one running back committed to their 2025 class in Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill’s Rickey Stewart Jr. At the On3 Elite Series in Nashville, Tenn., they could add another. On3 Industry ranking four-star James Simon is scheduled to announce today at the event and his decision can be seen live on the Inside Texas Football YouTube channel.

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Inside Texas previews the decision for the Pelican State standout

The player: James Simon, RB, Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist

The measurables: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds

The date: Wednesday, May 29 at 12:30 p.m. on the Inside Texas Football YouTube channel

The rating: 91.83 (four-star)

The ranking: Simon is ranked as the No. 167 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 9 running back and the No. 4 player in the state of Louisiana.

The evaluation: James Simon was in an interesting high school offense that emphasizes the old throwback run scheme known as the draw. The draw relies on a running back possessing great initial burst and lateral agility because he receives the ball at a standstill and has to pick a way through the interior. Simon is particularly great as a prospect in that realm, executing jump cuts and using his wiggle and burst to find creases between the tackles. He’d definitely translate with time into a zone running scheme but he’d fit as well as Jonathon Brooks did in gap schemes where he can threaten to bounce runs outside or jump cut and dart through interior gaps. – Ian Boyd

The finalists: Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Notre Dame, Alabama

The official visits: Texas planned on June 21

Recruiting Prediction Machine: 81.4 percent in favor of Texas

RPM Picks in favor of Texas: 

  • Billy Embody – 60%
  • Shea Dixon – 60% (intel)
  • Steve Wiltfong – 60%
  • Chad Simmons – 60% (intel)
  • Justin Wells – 70% (intel)

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