Now Streaming 📽 The Story: I'm Next (S.2 Ep.11)

This week’s episode introduces you to South Carolina native and senior TE Joshua Simon, who opens up about his journey back to the Palmetto State, the valuable lessons he learned from his time at Western Kentucky, his love for rabbit hunting with his dad and brothers, and his excitement for a breakout season with the Gamecocks. 

The following is an excerpt from I'm Next: Episode 11 of Season 2 of the Gamecocks+ original series, The Story…

On stepping into the role of TE1…

Simon: Well, the biggest thing with that is being in shape, man. Cuz we... Coach Loggains does a lot of stuff with the tight end, you know, from motions and shifts and stretching the field and pass pro and run blocking. You got to be in shape to do all that type of stuff. Your best ability is your availability, you know. So being in shape, staying healthy and knowing what I got to do. 

On offense, it's probably the second hardest job next to the quarterback, cuz you got to know the run scheme, you got to know the pass scheme, you got to be good in pass pro, you got to do blitz pickup, you got to run your route depth and all that type of stuff. So it's just keeping a clear head, staying in the playbook, you know, learning everything conceptually about where you’re at and the progression and and what's your job on this play. Am I going to pull this guy for this guy? Or, you know, just simple stuff like that. 

You can't be a box of rocks out there, man. You can't be a box of rocks.

On returning to Columbia this season for his final year of eligibility…

Simon: I wasn't going nowhere. Like I said, I left home (to play for Western Kentucky)... First time leaving home, at 18 years old. And, you know, spending that time away from home, I kind of realized the important things in life. 

Some people chase the money nowadays with the NIL and all type that type of stuff. But, you know, the grass ain't always greener on the other side. I've been in the portal before, so I kind of know how it goes. Like it's hot when it's hot, but when it's cold, it's cold, you know. And I'm already here in the SEC. And I already built relationships with the coaches and the people on the team and the staff already. And I already knew the playbook. So if I had to leave again, it would be me going, learning another playbook, you know, building that chemistry all over again when I already had it. It would have been kind of like starting over. This is where I wanted to be.

I get to be around family. I’m home. I love the state of South Carolina. I’m a Carolina boy through and through. 

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