COMMITTED! : 5-Star Running Back Finally Chooses New Destination Amid Interests From The Tigers, Alabama Crimson And Texas

In Nashville for the On3 Elite Series, Shreveport (La.) Cavalry Baptist running back James Simon announced his commitment to the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday over the the Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Texas A&M Aggies.

Simon said that he gave head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns a silent commitment after returning home from visiting Austin for the Orange-White game in April.

“I would definitely say I knew about a good month or two ago, just continually going down there and knowing that it always felt like home. But they just showed me consistent love, consistent value that I was a top priority for them. So I just definitely knew it was time,” Simon said.

Originally offered by Texas last March, Simon immediately moved up to the top of Choice’s recruiting board with Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s Jordon Davison no longer a target and intends on taking an official visit to Austin on June 21. It’s been the only official visit scheduled by Simon, so there wasn’t much drama surrounding his announcement — the Longhorns were considered the leader with the last six 247Sports Crystal Ball projections since the home-state Tigers took a commitment from fellow Louisiana product TJ Lindsey last month.

A consensus four-star prospect, Simon is ranked as the No. 200 player nationally and the No. 13 running back in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Simon burst onto the recruiting scene as a sophomore with a 1,000-yard season and 22 rushing touchdowns before totaling 1,600 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in 2023.

Simon becomes the second running back pledge for position coach Tashard Choice in the 2025 cycle, joining Tyler Chapel Hill’s Rickey Stewart as the Longhorns continue to stack talent in the offensive backfield. Texas now holds 10 pledges in the class, which ranks No. 13 nationally.

Analysis (by Daniel Seahorn):

Simon is a strong, compact runner who possesses solid size for the position at his listed 5’11, 200 pounds. Comes from an offense at Calvary Baptist that leans heavily on different variations of running back delays and draws, which is something I have not seen much when watching running backs over the years. Simon has been very productive over the past two seasons, as he has accumulated over 2,600 yards on the ground and 49 total touchdowns (43 rushing, six receiving).

On tape, Simon’s best traits are the power he displays in his lower half to accelerate through contact, his balance through contact, as well as his lateral quickness to be able to create missed tackles in tight quarters. The offensive identity revolving around the draw creates several opportunities to put those traits on display, as at times he is having to BYOB (be your own blocker) when defenders come free into the backfield and when he gets to the second level of the defense.

Displays good vision and patience as a runner and possesses a nice jump cut which highlights his lateral quickness. Shows good competitive toughness as a runner with the way he will seek out contact with defenders. He is not shy about trying to drop his shoulder into guys and will try to go through them. Has evidence on tape of being a solid pass catcher when asked to do it within the offense. Has lined up out wide in the slot and run some shallow routes. Shows some evidence of being able to catch the ball away from his body, but is raw as a route runner.

Comes from good athletic pedigree, with his father playing running back for Louisiana Tech in the late 1990s and early 2000s before having a cup of tea in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders. John Sr. is now the offensive coordinator at Grambling State. Simon’s older brother John was a three-star recruit during the 2024 recruiting cycle who opted to follow in his father’s foot steps and sign with Louisiana Tech. Simon has potential to be the best of the bunch as evidenced by the Power 4 programs who have pursued him and now he is set to begin his own legacy at the next level in Austin.