WELLINGTON – For Jalen Sime, feeling at home and feeling loved in a particular environment means everything.
The Somerset Academy Canyons ‘24 offensive lineman certainly experience this throughout his senior high school football season with the Cougars under head coach Alex Gonzalez.
And now, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound center will take his talents to Heidelberg University for the next level.
Sime announced his final collegiate decision tonight (April 25) on both his X and Instagram account handles.
Sime broke down his reasons for going with the Division III institution. He started with head coach Scott Donaldson.
“I would say what led me to Heidelberg was the fact that they were the most welcoming in the sense,” Sime said. “The coach was clear in his communication with me and actively recruited me. The coach is a very great guy. He’s always up to talk about anything; my other sports, video games, food, and more. I could have a conversation with him and have a connection with him unlike some other coaches.”
Next for Sime was the reflection on his college visit to Heidelberg, which took place on January 12.
“The visit was great,” Sime said. “Although cold (Florida kid), the coaches showed me everything I was interested in and went into details. When I asked, they explained their future plans for me and the team. I really see myself making an impact to help the team. The experience up there was also great, only one hour away from Cleveland. I got to experience something I never really get to experience down here in Florida, like the different seasons. But with the players, it was a whole different experience. They really welcomed me and showed that although it’s a small town (Tiffin, Ohio), you can have a lot of fun. They were just trying to show me a great time.”
Sime gave his final reason on his decision to go with Heidelberg.
“To wrap it up, Heidelberg seems like a great school for me and where I can fit the best to better me,” Sime said. “I know the coaches are going to help me succeed the best way they can and allow me to be a better football player and man all at once.”
What led Sime to this Heidelberg opportunity was his on-field production at the high school level.
Sime played at both center and defensive tackle for Somerset Academy Canyons. Here are his final statistics from his senior season with the Cougars.
•29 pancakes on offense
•20 knockdowns, 13 tackles (7 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble on defense
Sime’s best individual game was against Somerset Academy-Pembroke Pines. Here are his statistics from that one:
•3 pancakes on offense
•2 knockdowns, 1.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble on defense
Sime’s film and character has been evaluated by soon-to-be college football teammate, Division III Third Team All-American, and Heidelberg Male Athlete of the Year Keyshawn Cunningham.
“From meeting Jalen Sime in person when he came up early this year, I can tell that he was excited,” Cunningham said. “Before meeting him, I was able to watch his film and instantly knew he was a dawg. I can also tell that he carries himself in a great manner as well.”
With that said, Sime reflected on his senior season at Somerset Academy Canyons.
“I loved everything from the jump,” Sime said. “They welcomed me with open arms since I got here. They allowed me and trusted me to lead the o-line, as I was the only senior. We were able to get a 1,400-yard running back and over 2,000 yards of offense. I just had fun playing with a team I could call my family. The experience was great, and I wish them the best next season.”
Sime on Gonzalez:
“Gonzo is a great coach,” Sime said. “He’s been there for me from the jump, trusting me to be a leader/captain of the team, even though I had just got here. I think I match his expectations and more. He definitely made me a better lineman and a better man, as he’s always hammering down because he knows I can do better. He made football more fun and is one of – if not the best – coaches in West Palm Beach, I’d say.”
All of this led to Sime earning multiple honors, which include the following:
•Palm Beach Post 1st Team All-County
•Sun-Sentinel Honorable Mention All-County
•New Era Prep Offensive Lineman of the Year
•Somerset Academy Canyons Lineman of the Year
•Palm Beach County All-Star selection
Sime reflected on his entire high school football journey.
“Man it’s been a ride,” Sime said. “I never thought I would be in the place that I’m in today. It was a wild ride with COVID in not starting my career strong, but I persevered. Over at my old school (Wellington), when Coach [Danny] Mendoza was the head coach, I would say I’m glad with what he taught me and the experience he gave me my sophomore season. Sadly during the summer of my junior season, I broke my wrist. But with rehab and the trust from my coaches at the other school, I was able to start almost right away after I healed. I had so much respect for and the coaches and the memories I had.”
Sime did not stop there.
“The best memories came when i just got to chill with the coaches and players by joking with them and having fun,” Sime said. “But the main lesson that I’ve learned is that no matter the situation, just don’t give up. If you don’t give up on yourself, then the coaches wont give up on you and so won’t the players. Trust the process. All my experiences from high school are going to help me at the next level. My coaches in the past and now were nit-picky on everything, which in turn allowed me to be a better student of the game, to better myself, and to help me become a better football player.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Heidelberg Football, Jack Bartlett, and Solitario Visuals
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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