Recruiting Radar: Stanley out, Simon in

Posted Jul 30, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jul 30, 2010 at 11:01 PM

Former USC linebacker Glen Stanley, who received his official release from the Trojans on Wednesday, committed to Florida State on Friday.

Stanley was scheduled to visit USF on Friday—and then make his decision between the Seminoles and Bulls on Saturday—but after meeting with FSU coach Jimbo Fisher on Thursday, Stanley made up his mind that Tallahassee was the place he wanted to play his final two seasons.

“I think what put me over the top was that when I went there I felt like it was home,” Stanley told Warchant.com. “I ended up deciding not to go to USF for a visit and just went ahead and committed to Florida State.”

Stanley, who is eligible to play immediately, would have been a nice addition for USF, but it was obvious after his comments following Thursday’s visit to FSU that he was leaning heavily toward the Seminoles.

However, USF picked up a surprise commitment for the 2011 class on Friday night.

Bay Minnette (Ala.) offensive lineman David Simon verbally committed to USF, the eighth verbal commitment for the Bulls in next year’s recruiting class.

A 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive lineman at Baldwin County High, Simon had offers from strong academic schools such as Duke, Stanford and Vanderbilt, and also had FSU and Maryland in pursuit among others.

However, he visited USF on Friday and quickly took a liking to the Bulls’ coaching staff.

“The reason I chose USF over other schools was that first of all the coaches—it is a great staff with great coaches,’’ Simon told USFBullsEye.com. “Those guys are really tight and they have set morals and they really know what they want to do with this team.

“They know what it takes to win and I believe everything they said. I think this football program will be taking off soon and I think the coaches can take it to the next level.”

Simon joins Pahokee LB Rontavious Atkins, Sebring LB Zack Bullock, Cape Coral OLB/DE Edsel Caprice, Land O’ Lakes QB Stephen Weatherford, Milton QB Matt Floyd, Stone Mountain (Ga.) RB Willie Davis, Port Charlotte WR Alex Mut and Tallahassee Lincoln DB Chris Garye Jr. to orally commit.