Reserve LB Simmons leaves Husker football team

A University of Nebraska spokesperson confirmed to HuskerOnline on Wednesday that redshirt freshman linebacker Greg Simmons has left the Husker football team.

The Fort Pierce (Fla.) native redshirted the 2016 season, and found himself behind a log jam of talent this spring at inside linebacker.

This past August, Simmons also suffered a neck injury during Fall Camp that set him back this past season, but he was at full-go this spring.

It's unknown what Simmons' future plans are, as if he where to transfer to another Division I FBS school he'd have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2017 season.

Simmons is the second known departure this week on the Husker football team, joining freshman wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr., who left Lincoln this week for disciplinary reasons, but does have an open door to return in January if he gets things back on track.

HuskerOnline's Bryan Munson also reported on Tuesday that 2017 defensive line recruit Diontae Watts still remains hopeful he'll academically qualify, but as a back-up he's also signed a letter of intent with Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College.

The departure of Johnson Jr. and Simmons puts the Huskers at 79 player on scholarship for the 2017 season. Besides Watts, NU is still is waiting on the academic status of 2017 corner recruit Elijah Blades as well.

Walk-on players will eventually take the open scholarships for 2017 in August.

With only 11 scholarship seniors, the Huskers technically have 17 open spots for 2018, but it's expected junior walk-ons Bryan Reimers and Cole Conrad will both go on full-time scholarship in August. Both players were put on scholarship for both the second semester and summer, but nothing will be announced about the fall until August.