3-star Frankenmuth DT Derrick Simmons commits to Michigan State football

Michigan State football continued its hot recruiting week with another in-state pledge Thursday.

Three-star Frankenmuth defensive tackle Derrick Simmons committed to MSU Thursday evening via social media. He is MSU’s sixth in-state commitment and 14th recruit in the Spartans’ 2025 class. 

Simmons, listed at 6 feet 3 and 270 pounds, is rated as the ninth-best recruit in Michigan for 2025 and the 65th defensive lineman nationally according to 247 Sports. He chose MSU over Illinois, Purdue, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Central Michigan and other schools. His primary recruiter is listed as new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa.

Simmons was an all-state offensive lineman for Frankenmuth, which reached the Division 5 semifinals, and made the all-conference teams for the Tri-Valley Conference on both the offensive and defensive line last season.

Michigan State has picked up three commitments in the last 24 hours, adding Simmons to the pledges of Macomb Dakota offensive tackle Justin Bell and Ohio defensive lineman Cal Thrush. All 14 players who have committed to the Spartans in 2025 are listed as three-star prospects.