Dave Nasternak/MGoBlog

2017 Ann Arbor Pioneer OLB Antjuan Simmons is one of the hottest prospects on the recruting trail. In the last few weeks he's added offers from Arizona State, LSU, Miami (YTM), Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, to name a few. While Michigan hasn't yet joined that group, they hosted Simmons for an unofficial visit during the UNLV game, and you can bet they're keeping a close eye on the local kid.

In a matchup of undefeated teams, Pioneer fell to Saline 37-21 on Friday in a game that frankly wasn't that close; it was 28-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Simmons made a big impact on both sides of the ball, however, making plays all over the field at outside linebacker while proving to be Pioneer's most effective means of moving the ball on offense. He finished with double-digit tackles, a sack, a fumble return for a touchdown, and a rushing touchdown (though he also fumbled a goal-line carry).

Video Highlights

MGoFilm:

The fumble return, which occurred after we'd packed up (via The Saline Post):

[Hit THE JUMP for the scouting report.]

2017 OLB/RB Antjuan Simmons (M Target)

Simmons was asked to do a ton for Pioneer; he played every snap on defense and about a third of their offensive plays. His primary position is linebacker, and for good reason; he's got a great frame at 6'1", 205-ish with plenty of room to add muscle, he's a natural athlete, he hits hard, and he plays with excellent instincts.

Pioneer's coaching staff looked outmatched by Saline; they countered the Hornets' spread, which usually featured a four-wide formation with three receivers to the field side, by staying in their base 4-3 with two deep safeties—Pioneer often had one corner lined up on the trips side with a linebacker shaded over and no safety in a position to make a play. Saline had a lot of free yards.

Simmons held down a lot of those plays from going even bigger because of his ability to track the ball sideline-to-sideline and make forceful tackles when he got to the play. While he tended to dodge blocks on the perimeter instead of taking them head-on, that worked out for him, and he closed on the football with impressive speed. He's got a ton of range.

What stood out most about him was his ability to find the football. If a play came remotely within his area, he was in on the tackle. Despite having to make plays all over the field for a defense that looked overmatched at several spots, he also stayed disciplined, funneling plays back to the inside if he had to take on a block—at the 1:55 mark, he stands up a pulling OL and prevents a bounce, forcing the RB to plunge into awaiting defenders.

He also showed solid ability as a blitzer on the rare occasion Pioneer called upon him to do that. On his sack (1:13 mark), he times the snap, blows up the guard, then sheds and takes a great angle to prevent Josh Jackson (Fred Jackson's son, VT commit) from being able to escape the pressure.

As a running back, Simmons looked decent—he's tough to take down when he gets moving downhill and he doesn't waste a lot of movement in doing so. He did have that fumble, however, and he isn't the sharpest cutter. I think he's a three-star talent as a running back and easily a four-star talent as a linebacker.

Michigan has plenty of time to get in on Simmons' recruitment, but I'd expect them to do it sooner rather than later. After seeing him in person, it's not a surprise that he's garnered so much attention lately.