Lincoln’s Julien Simon shares recruiting update, breaks down top eight schools
Lincoln High School’s two-way football star Julien Simon, who is going into his senior year in the fall, recently narrowed his college selection process down to eight schools. In no particular order: Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Cal, Arizona State, USC, Texas and Stanford.
Simon, considered a four-star “athlete” recruit by 247sports.com, plays defensive back for the Abes on defense and receiver — and some running back out of the Wildcat formation — on offense. He was the top player on a Lincoln team which reached the Class 3A state tournament semifinals last year, becoming the first Tacoma Public School to reach that stage since the Marcus Trufant-led Wilson Rams in 1998.
He projects as a hybrid-linebacker in college, with the strength and tackling ability to play in the box along with the speed to drop back into coverage.
The News Tribune recently caught up with Simon on his recruitment, including a rapid-fire portion where the highly touted recruit shares a couple of thoughts on each school in his final eight.
TNT: What’s the whole recruiting process been like for you?
Simon: It’s been pretty crazy. Who would’ve ever thought as a freshman out of Tacoma, Washington, being able to receive an offer so early from USC. That was my first offer. It’s been a dream experience.
TNT: When did USC offer?
Simon: My freshman year in April, springtime. I ended up making a phone call, got a text from my coach that day that USC wanted to talk to me. I didn’t know it’d end up with an offer. Ever since then, it’s been going fast and crazy.
TNT: How has your recruitment changed with the coronavirus situation?
Simon: It’s a lot of Zoom meetings now. Coaches have a lot of time on their hands. A lot of Zoom meetings, watching film, getting a better understanding of where I fit in the system. It’s been good for me, knowing what I’ll be doing at the school. We also talk about the school, what the school has to offer. Everything and anything.
TNT: Are there any campuses you haven’t visited yet that you’d still like to get to before you make your decision?
Simon: Hopefully, in my top 8, there’s three schools I haven’t been to: ASU, Michigan and Texas. I’m trying to get to those if possible. There’s no rush in this whole process. Coaches have been telling me, we’re not going to pressure you into making a decision. (The coronavirus situation has) messed up a lot of things for me to be able to make my decision as early as I wanted to.
TNT: Obviously, the hometown Huskies have been after you for a while now, what have your talks been like with Jimmy Lake since he took over for Chris Petersen?
Simon: I’ve always had a pretty good relationship with UW, with Jimmy Lake. It was kind of unexpected, but it wasn’t that much of a transition. With (UW special teams coordinator/Inside linebackers coach) Bob Gregory, they just welcomed me with open arms. I’ve known them for a long time. It’s been good for me.
TNT: There are a lot of talented players in the state in the 2021 class. Does that factor into your decision at all, and have you all talked collectively about the possibility of staying home, or are you more trying to just give each other space and respect each other’s decisions?
Simon: It’s more respecting each other’s decisions. Whatever happens, happens. We’ve definitely talked about that possibility. That’s for sure. Just as of right now, we’re just respecting each other’s time, not trying to sway each other to one school. Just being good friends. That’s really all it is.
TNT: Do you have a timetable or a date on when you’d like to make your commitment?
Simon: As of right now, I don’t. I always told myself I wanted to be ready by this summer. I don’t think that’ll happen now.
TNT: Are colleges mostly recruiting you on the offensive or defensive side of the ball?
Simon: It’s more defensive than anything right now. That’s where I’m going to fit best as far as the next level, thinking about that.
TNT: What position specifically do they see you as?
Simon: Hybrid type linebacker. A little safety, a little nickel, a little in the box. A guy that can really do it all on the defensive side.
TNT: You recently released your top eight colleges, in no particular order. Tell me one or two things you like about each program. Let’s start with the Huskies.
Simon: Hometown. It’s a great program, great tradition. Walking away with a good degree as well. They pride themselves on the whole ‘built for life’ thing. Great football program.
TNT: Oregon?
Simon: Really good culture. I love the culture there. They’ve turned things up a notch since the coaching staff change, really turned it around. Good program. Just a program that’s trying to make its way to the top. Their culture is very contagious.
TNT: Michigan?
Simon: Great football program with a very good coach who has coached in the NFL. Really a great opportunity to take your game to the next level while pursuing a very good degree.
TNT: Cal?
Simon: Great program. A lot of good weather. Just a great city to be in. No. 2 in the country, as far as most sports teams in the nation, with all the professional teams, too. Just a good atmosphere to be in. They’re definitely a rising program, having its mark on the Pac-12 and just trying to be the best program they can be. (Inside linebackers coach Peter Sirmon) having that tradition of great linebackers at Cal has been his thing.
TNT: Arizona State?
Simon: Great opportunity as far as coaching. (Linebackers coach) Antonio Pierce, (head) coach Herm (Edwards) was an NFL coach, really knows what he’s doing. He’s been there. He’s been coaching in the NFL and he knows what it takes to get there. Great opportunity to earn a degree and play good football.
TNT: USC?
SImon: It’s like having a first love. They changed the game for me with that first offer. I always knew they’d be in my top whatever. I couldn’t thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to take this thing to where it’s gone now, and just how they believed in me before any college. It’s a great place to be, as well. Great tradition building good players and good athletes and great men.
TNT: Texas?
Simon: Everything is bigger in Texas. Great football, great school to be at, they offer so much. A lot of people overlook their academics. Their football, everyone knows about Texas and that Texas brand. Building men on and off the field, it’s a great place to be.
TNT: Stanford?
Simon: The best degree you could earn, as far as being on a power-five school. Stanford, you can literally be anything out of that. If the NFL doesn’t work out, you can pretty much do anything you want. Graduating from Stanford will carry you a long way.
