Four-Star Running Back James Simon Commits to Texas
The Texas Longhorns have secured a top-tier prospect from Louisiana, with Shreveport’s Cavalry Baptist running back James Simon announcing his commitment on Wednesday. Simon chose Texas over several prestigious programs, including Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M.
Simon revealed that he had silently committed to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian after attending the Orange-White game in Austin in April. Reflecting on his decision, Simon said, “I knew about a month or two ago. Visiting Austin always felt like home, and they consistently showed me love and made me feel like a top priority.”
Texas initially offered Simon last March, quickly making him a top target after another prospect, Jordon Davison from Mater Dei, was no longer in consideration. Simon plans to make an official visit to Austin on June 21, which is currently his only scheduled visit, reducing the suspense around his commitment. The Longhorns have been seen as the frontrunners, bolstered by several positive predictions following LSU’s commitment from another Louisiana recruit, TJ Lindsey.
Simon is highly regarded, ranked as the No. 200 player nationally and the No. 13 running back in the 247Sports Composite rankings. His recruitment gained momentum during his sophomore year when he rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. In 2023, he continued to impress with 1,600 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
Joining Tyler Chapel Hill’s Rickey Stewart, Simon becomes the second running back commitment for Texas in the 2025 cycle, further strengthening the Longhorns’ offensive lineup. Texas now has 10 commitments for the class, placing them 13th nationally.
### Analysis by Daniel Seahorn
James Simon is a robust, compact runner, standing at 5’11” and weighing 200 pounds. His team at Calvary Baptist relies heavily on varied running back delays and draws, a unique aspect of his gameplay. Over the past two seasons, Simon has amassed over 2,600 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns (43 rushing, 6 receiving). His game tape showcases his lower body strength, balance, and lateral quickness, allowing him to break tackles and excel in tight spaces. Simon’s offensive system, which emphasizes the draw play, highlights these attributes, requiring him to create his own blocking against free defenders.
Simon demonstrates excellent vision, patience, and a strong jump cut that emphasizes his lateral agility. He is known for his competitive toughness, often seeking contact with defenders and not hesitating to lower his shoulder. Although not extensively used as a receiver, he has shown potential, having lined up in the slot and caught passes away from his body, despite being raw in route running.
Simon comes from an athletic family, with his father playing running back at Louisiana Tech and having brief stints in the NFL. His older brother, John, was a three-star recruit in the 2024 cycle and chose Louisiana Tech. James Simon appears poised to surpass his family’s legacy, attracting significant interest from major programs and now setting out to make his mark with the Longhorns in Austin.
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