AJC
Banneker?s Simmons looking to move past arrest
Banneker coach
Benny Crane believes his star safety,
Darrell Simmons, will be acquitted of charges related to a burglary in Forest Park late last month.
?Everything is going to be fine,? Crane said. ?He kind of got caught up in a car afterwards. He had no involvement with that.
?I?m hoping he will be exonerated soon and the truth will come out,? Crane said.
With scholarship offers from powers such as Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Ohio State, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Simmons is one of the most sought after defensive backs in the country.
To Crane?s knowledge, each offer remains intact.
?No one has called to say ?we?re withdrawing the offer,? Crane said.
Colleges are, however, eager to learn Simmons? fate in court.
?They want to know as soon as possible,? said Crane, who is unaware of Simmons? court date. ?This thing is so fragile. He may be in trouble to a certain degree as far as having to go and earn back the trust from them.
?But we?re doing what we?re supposed to do on this end. He?s handling his business.?
Simmons is currently attending summer school, in hopes of graduating in December.
Once the burglary issue is resolved, Crane is confident a Division I program will land a stellar player.
?He is such an explosive athlete,? Crane said. ?He stared at both quarterback and safety for us last year. He?s incredibly gifted.
?When you turn on the film and see this kid, the footage speaks for itself.?