Stop me if you've heard this one before... A blue-chip prospect from out-of-state is looking hard at both Georgia and Alabama. What could possibly go wrong? With Elijah Haven picking the Crimson Tide over the Bulldogs earlier in the week, Dawg Nation could seeing something similar with another well-thought-of 2027 prospect. That player would be linebacker Kenneth Simon II out of Tennessee.
On3's Hayes Fawcett shared the four schools that will be finalists for Simon's four-star commitment.
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Tennessee Volunteers
Simon will choose between Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee in two weeks on May 11.
NEWS: Four-Star LB Kenneth Simon II will announce his commitment May 11th, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’2 210 LB from Brentwood, TN will choose between Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennesseehttps://t.co/4NMUEyG6Jl pic.twitter.com/XHKmIoEoB1
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 30, 2026
Simon could potentially stay in-state to play for the Vols, but he has been crystal balled to Alabama...
Kenneth Simon II prepared to break Georgia fans' hearts with his decision
According to the 247Sports Composite, Simon is the No. 6 player from Tennessee, the No. 10 linebacker in the country, and the No. 132 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class. He has 24 offers, but will only be playing at either Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, or Tennessee. It should be noted that he is a Tennessee legacy by way of his father Kevin Simon who played for the Vols from 2001-05.
To be quite frank, Georgia is clearly a distant third, maybe even fourth, for Simon's services. Having to pick between two bitter neighboring rivals in Alabama and Tennessee will not be easy. Those are the two schools he has been the most closely tied to. Does he stay in-state to play for his father's alma mater, or does he chart his own course to play for Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa. What about Georgia?
The good news for Kirby Smart and Georgia is Simon plays in the same position group that Smart knows best in the defensive backfield. Being a former star safety in this league does carry some level of clout. However, Ole Miss has a former defensive back leading their team now in Pete Golding. While DeBoer and Josh Heupel both favor the offensive side of the ball, the ball is in their court to land him.
Overall, Georgia should be pleased to be a finalist for so many blue-chip prospects of late. You cannot land them all, but to even be in the conversation says you are doing something right as a program. However, Simon is only looking at SEC schools. If he does not go to UGA, he is bound to be heading to a rival. While none of them are of the annual variety, all three have been playoff teams recently...
For now, it serves Smart and the rest of the Georgia program to not be strung along by Simon here.
Add us as a preferred source on Google