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ShareBy Christian McCollum | October 11, 2023
In the world of sports, young talents emerge with dreams of making it big. One such rising star is James Simon, a 2025 running back hailing from Louisiana. Simon has been eager to set foot on the hallowed grounds of Notre Dame, and this weekend, his long-awaited opportunity has arrived.
"I was trying to come to the Ohio State game," he explains, "but it was late notice, so I couldn't find a way to get up there in time." However, Simon's determination prevailed as he worked things out with his family and managed to find another game that fit his schedule - the USC match. "That's the one I wanted to go to, so we made that happen."
Standing at an impressive 6 feet and weighing 198 pounds, the Calvary Baptist Academy standout received an offer from the Fighting Irish in March. Yet, Simon's talents have attracted attention from a host of other prestigious institutions, including LSU, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Oregon, and USC.
One of the key factors that has kept Simon's interest in Notre Dame alive is Deland McCullough, the university's esteemed running backs coach. Simon speaks highly of Coach McCullough, emphasizing the coach's remarkable ability to develop running backs into top-tier performers. "He takes players who don't get much playing time or are young and turns them into All-Americans," Simon praises.
His visit to Notre Dame will not only provide him with a glimpse of the campus but also a chance to soak in the university's unique atmosphere. The consistent communication between Simon and Coach McCullough further cements the mutual interest. "Pretty much every other day or almost daily," Simon reveals. "He wants to coach me real bad, and if I were to play for him, he would definitely be able to take me to the League and help me reach my big goal."
Simon has been on a whirlwind tour, recently visiting Texas A&M and LSU. "They were cool," he remarks, highlighting the fantastic atmosphere he experienced during his first trip to College Station.
As for the rest of the season, Simon has a few other destinations in mind. "I'm probably going to try to go to a Texas game," he says. "I wanted to get to an Alabama game, but I don't think I'll be able to make it down there. I'm going to the LSU versus Florida game, and I'm pretty sure that'll be it."
Despite all the excitement and attention, Simon doesn't intend to rush his decision-making process. He anticipates that he won't have a list of leaders or a final decision until sometime next year. "It'll be either before or during the season, late in the season. A top five, I'll probably put that out by the time spring comes around."
In the world of sports, the journey of a young talent like James Simon is just beginning. With potential offers from renowned institutions and the guidance of coaches like Deland McCullough, his future in the game looks promising. As Simon explores his options, his visit to Notre Dame holds the promise of forging a unique connection with one of college football's most esteemed programs.
Source: Read the original article on Irish Sports Daily
Please note: This article is a reformulated version of the original content provided in the source link. The source has been credited accordingly.
Picture by: Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports
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