Simms sticks with his commitment

When UofL coach Bobby Petrino left for the Atlanta Falcons, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep quarterback Matt Simms re-opened his recruitment. After taking a serious look at Michigan State, North Carolina State and Louisville, Simms has made a decision.

"I talked to both [Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe and assistant coach Jeff Brohm], they called me right after school," Simms told The Bergen Record Monday. "It was perfect timing because I really thought all day about my decision. When I answered the phone, they said, 'Are you coming to Louisville?' And I said, 'Yes, Sir, I am.'

"I just have a real good feeling about it and I do feel a lot better about it right now than I did a few weeks ago."

New Louisville head coach Steve Kragthorpe made gaining the re-commitment of Simms a top priority. The Cardinal coach made a stop through Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep to meet with Simms just days after being announced as the head coach.

But then Simms visited Michigan State and N.C. State on successive weekends, and the Cardinals' hold on 6-foot-2, 200-pounder seemed to be slipping.

Simms said his decision to visit N.C. State was based on a strong relationship with former Boston College coach and current Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien.

The new offers were appealing, but Simms eventually decided to stick with Louisville. Sources told Cardinalsports.com that Simms informed the Louisville coaching staff this afternoon. While Simms' family has not returned phone messages, his mother did confirm the decision to Jody Demling of The Courier-Journal.

A three-star recruit, Simms was rated the No. 1 quarterback prospect in New Jersy and one of the top 15 pro-style quarterbacks in the nation.

Simms led Don Bosco to a 41-0 victory over St. Peter's Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 title game in Giants Stadium in December. He had 1,981 passing yards and 18 touchdowns during his senior season and had more than 60 touchdowns and 6,000 yards in three years as a starter.