Signed: Cody Simon

With his brother, Shayne, signing with Notre Dame a couple years back, many thought it was a foregone conclusion that Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter's Prep star 2020 linebacker Cody Simon would end up signing with the Irish as well.

But the younger Simon forged his own path, committing to Ohio State back on June 29, picking the Buckeyes over other finalists in Nebraska and Penn State. Today, Simon made that verbal pledge official, signing his letter of intent with the Scarlet and Gray.

While Simon won't be enrolling early (SPP doesn't allow it), he's already thinking about what he's looking forward to when he arrives in Columbus in June.

"Becoming a Buckeye is a great honor and I will uphold all the values that make it such a great program," he shared with BuckeyeGrove. "I will compete to the best of my ability to help the team win. I am looking forward to joining the brotherhood of The Ohio State the most. It is an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Simon signs with Ohio State currently being ranked as a 4-star, the No. 163 overall player, No. 9 inside linebacker, and No. 3 player in New Jersey for 2020, per Rivals.

When you talk about linebackers, you want to see players that have great instincts, can run sideline-to-sideline, and love to hit. Simon checks off all the boxes on those, and then some.

Simon not only can come up and fill gaps to stuff the run, as well as run with backs and tight ends in coverage, but he brings other unique skills to the table. He's got the size (6-2/15) to grow to play inside or outside at the level, he's athletic and quick enough to be able to blitz, and he's got a very high football IQ that will allow him to adjust to the college level quickly.

Maybe his biggest quality is that he's a tremendous leader, which most recently helped him lead the Marauders to a state title this past season. He's very well liked by his teammates and command a level of respect that helps him lead his team in times of success and adversity.

Simon's biggest need in the immediate is going to be just getting bigger in the weight room and adjusting to the speed of the college game, but once he does, I envision him as a multi-year starter and future candidate to be a captain for the Buckeyes.