Release: Rhoads nets JUCO DT

**ChrisMWilliams** · 03-28-2011, 11:43 AM

AMES, Iowa – Defensive tackle Henry Simon, a 6-3, 302-pounder, who made 39 tackles at Grossmont (Calif.) College last season, has signed a national letter of intent to attend and play for Iowa State this fall. Simon will join the Cyclones for preseason practice in August.

Simon recorded eight tackles for loss and 5 ½ sacks for Grossmont last season. Grossmont finished the 2010 campaign with a 6-4 record in the California community college ranks and a Beach Bowl berth. Simon had six tackles, two for loss in a win over Southwestern College for his head coach, Mike Jordan. Simon also picked off a pass against Mt. Sac and had six tackles and a pair of sacks in a victory over Fullerton.

“Bob Elliott had recruited Henry to San Diego State in 2008 so we had an established relationship with Henry,” Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads said. “I wanted Henry at Iowa State because he is a good fit for our program. Specifically, I was impressed with his character, which will make him a good teammate.”

Simon attended Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif. He earned first-team all-league honors as a senior under head coach John McFadden. Simon played both tight end and in the defensive line as a prep. He helped his team advance to the 2007 CIF semifinals, an 8-3 record and a Mesa League title. Simon’s prep team was 8-4 his junior season when he was an honorable mention all-league selection.

Simon attended San Diego State during the 2008-09 school year and then sat out a season before going to Grossmont.

**jdoggivjc** · 03-28-2011, 12:00 PM

Awesome. We need difference makers at DT. Hopefully Simon is one immediately.

**JBone84** · 03-28-2011, 12:23 PM

6-3 302? Awesome. Hopefully this guy can move a little, but even if he is just a run-stopper that requires a double team, I'm glad to have him.

**cyhiphopp** · 03-28-2011, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Awesome. We need difference makers at DT. Hopefully Simon is one immediately.

I wouldn't hold out hope for a difference maker. It's pretty touch to find difference makers this late in recruiting unless they are HS kids or heavily recruited JuCos that didn't make it elsewhere.
At this point we at least need guys who can just give us Big 12 quality reps and earn some PT. I think Simon can provide this.

**CYCLNST8** · 03-28-2011, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

It's pretty touch to find difference makers

I agree.

**RustShack** · 03-28-2011, 12:45 PM

Great size. I would assume theres a little skill since he played TE and DE. He seems to move pretty well in his video also. Wally and Shane should at the very least be able to coach him up into a solid rotational player.

**cyhiphopp** · 03-28-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by CYCLNST8

I agree.

Thank you spelling/grammar police.

I will try and proofread better in the future.

**CYKOFAN** · 03-28-2011, 12:48 PM

Sounds like a very good late addition. I like that he played tight end in high school so he must have had some skills and been able to move his feet. If he still can at 300 lbs we might have found a good player that was overlooked.

**Frak** · 03-28-2011, 12:50 PM

Sounds to me like they were looking for that fourth DT/NG to rotate in with Laing, McDonough and Rump and they just found him. Hope that it isn't saying anything about Pompey's likelihood of making grades.

**StLouisClone** · 03-28-2011, 12:52 PM

I am thrilled with the two late DT pickups. I think most of us saw this as our biggest area of need and I'm glad the coaches weren't just sitting around feeling sorry for themselves for some of their earlier recruiting misses.

Now if Lattimer can stay out of trouble, we might have a pretty good DL in place by the time the conference season rolls around.

**isuno1fan** · 03-28-2011, 12:55 PM

I have to assume he is a project, but one we are willing to take a chance on.

His weight keeps going up too. First he was 275, then 290, now 302. Not quite sure what to believe there.

**RotatingColumn** · 03-28-2011, 12:56 PM

If he can come in and plug a few gaps for us that would be huge.

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 03-28-2011, 01:19 PM

Here's a look at his highlight video....for some reason its taking for ever to load on my computer today, but maybe it will work better for you guys.....let me know how he looks from the video - i did see one shot of him gashing a interior slant between two offensive lineman and tackling the rb in the backfield....i liked the looks of that....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLXysrKu6nA]YouTube - #99 Henry Simon[/ame]

**bos** · 03-28-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

Thank you spelling/grammar police.

I will try and proofread better in the future.

I think you meant typo-police.

Laugh a little, it was funny.

**theyork** · 03-28-2011, 01:24 PM

sounds like the staff is concerned about the DL just like most all posters on here who were railed for not trusting the staff. then lo and behold we add two late DL recruits (plus we had major interest in the late USC signee). i stayed clear of that debate, but perhaps some of these posters were right in being concerned about the DL and our perceived inability to land any DL prospects?

regardless, call me a skeptic, but this seems like an odd addition. as DT is the hardest position to recruit why were we the only school to offer? especially considering he has been available for such a long time after signing day. and he didn't even get any 1AA interest? no midmajor interest? i hope he makes me eat my words, but i look for him to be another jason mcginty. furthermore, in the interview rhoads said nothing of his actual ability as a player, only that he is a high character guy who is a good fit for the program.

am i reading into this too far? you bet. but i can only think and speak about what i have read and know. again i hope he makes me put my foot in my mouth, but im not holding my breath that he sees the field this season.