Oklahoma State University Athletics
Five Questions with Ryan Simmons
April 21, 2014 | Cowboy Football
April 21, 2014
STILLWATER – “Five Questions” is a series that catches up with members of the Oklahoma State football team during the off-season. This installment features linebacker Ryan Simmons. His comments:
Linebacker Ryan Simmons
On how he got started playing football
"I actually got started playing at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. I started playing little league from when I was five years old until now. I haven't missed a summer or offseason. It all started because I knew my uncle played football. He was in the NFL. My brothers were involved in it and my cousins were involved in it, it's just following after them. I just wanted to always play and as I grew older, I saw figures of people. Ray Lewis, Priest Holmes was another influence. He lives in San Antonio and was around there sometimes. Seeing football every day was basically what I took after and I loved it ever since I was five years old."
On who he models his game after
"Definitely Ray Lewis. I wear my number because of him. When I was growing up, I remember seeing Priest Holmes for the first time and I remember my parents telling me that he lives in San Antonio. So, that's who I really looked up to at the beginning because I really like fullback. I liked running the ball, and I made that switch to defense when I was 13, around eighth grade."
On how he got to OSU
"I got here by being recruited by Coach Spencer and he recruited me since my junior year. He's just been genuine. All of the coaches just show respect, I respect them as coaches, I respect them as men first. Coach Spencer always kept it cool with me and let me know what was real. He let me know that he had an opportunity here for me and offered me a scholarship and I took my official visit. It was the last official visit I ever took and it was on an official visit weekend with a lot of other recruits and I made my commitment that Saturday."
On the strong points of the defense
"I'd say the strongest element in our defense this year has to be our camaraderie and just the want to, the want to be great. A lot of guys haven't had the opportunity to show their game and show what they can do. A lot of guys are hungry, the motivation is there and a lot of these guys are just ready to play and are excited for the first game."
On how he's seen himself grow
"Just life taking its way with me. That's basically the main thing, confidence-wise, believing in myself that I'm going to be able to get the job done, not having to worry too much and just understanding that everything else will take care of itself if you do your job and do everything that you need to do. I'd say that's the main thing as far as growing up, my confidence in myself and just being confident in what I do and how I go about things."
