ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 15, 1997 TAG: 9701150064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
People have compared Devon Simmons to Virginia defensive back Anthony Poindexter. Now the two will have the opportunity to play together.
Simmons, a 5-foot-11, 197-pounder from Highland Springs High School in Richmond, said Tuesday he has picked the Cavaliers over Virginia Tech.
``I knew I couldn't go wrong either place,'' Simmons said. ``They're both good football programs and, academic-wise, I felt both would give me a good education. I just felt a little more at home at Virginia.''
Simmons won the 55-meter dash at the East Coast Invitational this past weekend and has the speed (4.4 seconds for 40 yards) to play cornerback in college, but he wants to be a safety.
``You get to see the field and come up and make the big hits,'' said Simmons, who played linebacker as a sophomore. ``I think that's why a lot of people compare my style to Poindexter's.''
Simmons is the first football player to go from Highland Springs to Virginia on scholarship since Greg Taylor in the late 1970s.
``There was a lot of pressure to go to Virginia Tech,'' said Simmons, named to The Roanoke Times list of the Top 25 prospects in the state. ``Virginia hasn't recruited many players from here, so people just don't know it that well.''
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