SEC Daily Fever: Vols Sign Simms Youngest Son

Posted: Dec 17, 2009

Many teams in the conference added a junior college prospect or two yesterday, and one of the more interesting names to sign was quarterback Matt Simms at Tennessee. Besides the fact that he is the son of Phil Simms, this signing is interesting because his older brother (Chris Simms) is not very popular in Knoxville after spurning the Vols a decade ago. The much ballyhooed Chris committed to Tennessee on the MSG network, but then changed his mind before Signing Day and went to Texas instead.

The younger Simms started his career at Louisville before playing last year at El Camino Community College in California, and he will have two seasons to play at Tennessee. The new Vol commented on his brother and the decision to sign in Knoxville:

"He needs me to salvage his rep down there at Tennessee ," Matt Simms joked. "He's really happy for me and so is my family. We're real excited about it."

The paternal Simms is a well-known former NFL quarterback. Phil Simms is now an analyst for NFL telecasts.

"I do believe my father is very fond of Coach (Lane) Kiffin and Monte, his father," Matt Simms said, referring to UT's head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively. "He respects them very much."

As far as his career at Tennessee, Simms will compete with senior Nick Stephens and incoming freshman Tyler Bray for the open QB job. He threw for over 2000 yards last season at El Camino, with half of those (1,020 yards and nine touchdowns) going to fellow Vols signee Kenbrell Thompkins.

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