Tory Simmons '23 Recruiting Profile

I have been dual sport athlete all my life whether it has been Football, Basketball or Soccer. I begin playing sports at the age of 4 years old, which is when I first put on football pads and played in the South Florida Super Pee Wee League. The first time I touched the ball, I scored a touchdown and was hooked since that day. My life has been split between traveling across country as a Point Guard on nationally ranked Texas AAU Basketball team in which I played in front of sold-out crowds; and playing for a national ranked South Florida and then a Texas AAU Football team that traveled to different states to take on other national teams. Playing Point Guard taught me the importance of running a team and understanding what the opposing team likes to run and get my team to see what I see is equally important as scoring a lot of points or being signaled out. Teamwork and the struggles are what makes us a brotherhood and a great team that everyone fears. These sports have taught me a lot of life lessons that I use in my everyday life, whether is in my personal life as a son, brother, friend or mentor to others. I have experienced joy, pain, injury, you name it; but the one thing that I took from it all was how to remain humble and calm because nothing last too long.

Life is all about the journey and what’s the next play, game or moment that is coming. All of the school and sports accolades are great, but how you act in the moment and beyond is what defines you as a person. Some of the greatest moments for me happened outside of sports as I am a part of a “Big Brother Program” that visits the local students to allow them to be around the people that they see on the local news or in the big Texas stadiums. The elementary and middle school students are in awe and soak up everything you say. That program has taught me how important it is to carry yourself on and off the field as you never know who is watching and want to be exactly like you. As part of charitable organization, I help feed the homeless and do fundraisers for the less fortunate and to see the happiness on people faces to know people care shows me that a few people can make a difference.

Currently, I have a 3.9 GPA and will be graduating in the top half of my class in 2023. I am really proud of how I was able to balance my academic and athletic lifestyles. The hard work to obtain and maintain a high GPA is a result of a lot of hours completing assignments through the night; while still attending training sessions and traveling around the US to compete in both Football and Basketball events. As I end my high school year, I am excited to begin the next phase of my life which I know will be nothing but great because I understand to become a great leader and person it will take hard work, dedication and self-awareness, which is what I am use to doing since I was 4 years old.