COVINGTON, Ga. — Former Alcovy quarterback Nick Simmons called a college choice audible Wednesday afternoon when he decided to stay local for school. 

Simmons backed away from his Clarke (Iowa) University pledge, opting instead to join the Georgia Knights Prep Academy. 

Simmons, a 5-foot-11 160-pound signal caller received the offer from Clarke, among several other schools, despite struggling through a 2018 season riddled with injuries and coaching shifts. But Simmons said he was not only encouraged to have options at his disposal, but was also glad to have the ability to stay close to home and have another year to bulk up and get better through the prep school route. 

“I just kept thinking about college ball and my size and me playing quarterback, that I needed to get another year of exposure so I can put more weight on and get better at my position,” Simmons said. 

Simmons will join a handful of other Newton County area football players at Georgia Knights Prep Academy who signed to the prep school back in February during the traditional national signing day. 

Simmons has already been in touch with Georgia Knights coaches and has walked away impressed with what he saw during this past Sunday’s practice. 

“The coaches are great,” Simmons said. “I love the coaches there. Also, there’s a lot of talent there and competition. The competition just made me wanna go so I can compete and get better.” 

In addition to getting on the field for another chance to entice other colleges with his ability, Simmons said he’ll begin to start taking college courses through the prep school as well. 

Simmons passed for 415 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns during his senior season. As a junior, he threw for 537 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 55 percent of his passes after coming in midseason to replace the injured Cam Anderson.