EAST ST. LOUISÌý•Ìý was always certain and never wavered. was the exact opposite.
Both senior football players took different routes as they signed college letters of intent on the first day of the signing period Wednesday in the school library.
Green, a defensive back, picked the University of Illinois in the fall. Simms, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive tackle, finally decided Tuesday on the University of Missouri.
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Simms originally gave a verbal commitment in June to the Illini, but when new Tigers head coach Barry Odom offered him late last year, Simms switched.
Then he didn't. But he did.
It was either the SEC or Big Ten. I-l-l-i-n-i or M-i-z z-o-u.
Either way, he couldn't go wrong.
“Who doesn’t want to play in the SEC? It’s the No. 1 conference in college football,†Simms said. “I like the program they are trying to build. I like the coach. It was a hard decision. My decision came down to (Tuesday). (Illinois) is a great school. There’s no hard feelings. I just chose the University of Missouri.
“It was just that hard. I actually wanted more time, but I had to make a decision.â€
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Green knew where he wanted Simms to be next fall and even tried to persuade Simms.
But Simms finally picked the Tigers.
“I really wanted him to come, 100 percent,†Green said. “But I'm happy for him. He'll do great things there.â€
Simms said the opportunity to jump onto the depth chart early was a big factor. He expects to slot in at the guard spot.
Green chose the Illini and stayed firm, even with a late offer from Iowa State.
“I'm just very excited, this whole day,†Green said. “It's the biggest day of my life. The next chapter. Really, my life starts now. The biggest thing to me was the education that Illinois offers. It's one of the best in the country and there's a family feel there.â€
Green, who is 6-1 and 190 pounds, said he expects to stay in the defensive backfield in Champaign.
Green and Simms were the two biggest recruits in the class of 2016 for the Flyers, who will possibly have a half-dozen major college signees next year headed by wideout Jeff Thomas.
Simms is No. 8 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 recruiting list, while Green is No. 15.
“Both were good program players for us,†East Side coach Darren Sunkett said. “These guys were part of our success. Simms is a great football player. He was a three-year starter, never missed a day in the weight room, has outstanding family support. I was unaware where he was going until this morning. And Stanley, Illinois definitely got a winner in him.â€
Also for the Flyers, defensive back Markeith McGarry signed with Scottsdale Community College in suburban Phoenix.