First-ever Alabama visit makes strong impression on 2025 DL

Flowood (Miss.) Hartfield Academy defensive lineman London Simmons recently locked in his official visit to Alabama for the weekend June 14-16.

Ahead of his upcoming official, Simmons set up a last-minute unofficial visit to Bama. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach communicated with him on Thursday night about making the 2.5-hour drive to Tuscaloosa the following day for a camp.

Simmons said it was a no-brainer to schedule this trip to The Capstone.

“I was like, ‘Might as well get some work in with somebody who believes in me,’” Simmons told BamaOnLine. “It felt great getting some one-on-one time with him. Seeing how he coaches and critiques me. I love it. Technique-wise, if I didn’t do something really right, I needed to do it again. I need to get it down pat. It was awesome.”

The 6-foot-2.5, 305-pound prospect received positive reviews from Roach and the rest of Bama’s staff following his camp performance.

“That I’m explosive and I move very, very well with my weight,” Simmons said of the feedback he received. “I can take coaching, accountability. I’m very quick off the ball, very fast, very explosive. They’re recruiting me at d-tackle, from nose to the 3-tech to 4i.”

Simmons hears from someone at Alabama at least three or four times a week, with Roach being his primary recruiter. The Class of 2025 defensive lineman has enjoyed building a relationship with Roach since they started talking in April.

“It’s just a family. He really wants me and he’s recruiting me real hard,” Simmons said of Roach’s message. “He wants to have me at Alabama. [Our relationship] is great… great person. Easy to talk to. We just joke around a lot and things like that.”

London Simmons with Freddie Roach on his first-ever visit with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

This visit also paved the way for Simmons to have his first-ever conversation with Kalen DeBoer.

They talked for about 30 minutes and got to know each other better, with Simmons stating that he loved being around DeBoer.

“It was great,” Simmons said of his conversation with DeBoer. “He said, ‘Alabama is still Alabama.’ Just coming in there, they hold a high standard. The way they do things is at a high standard and at a high level.

“I think he’s a great coach,” Simmons continued. “Coming from Washington, a great record, great run from being in the championship. He knows how to win.”

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack told Simmons afterward that he had a great workout. He also jokingly said to him that after the camp, he now had to guard Wommack for a rep.

Simmons had an opportunity to speak with incoming junior linebacker Jihaad Campbell as well.

“He was telling me, ‘If you want to be developed and you want to be at a high level every single day, and you want to get pushed every single day, this is the place for you,’” Simmons said. “I liked that. Just him being real and what it actually is and putting in the work to get what you want. It’s not going to be handed to you.”

All in all, being recruited by a program of the Crimson Tide’s caliber means a great deal to Simmons.

“It’s been high, so I just love it,” Simmons said of his Alabama interest. “It’s up there.”

“It feels great,” Simmons added. “Just growing up, seeing Alabama, how they were, and how the standard was at Alabama, actually getting the offer and being recruited by Alabama is great.”

Last season, Simmons recorded 80 total tackles — including an outstanding 25 tackles for loss — while also having 15 sacks and three forced fumbles.

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