Dedication. Leadership. Competitive spirit. Loyalty.
Those are all words commonly used to describe Boston College defensive back Justin Simmons. They’re also qualities taken into consideration when determining the recipient of the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship, which was given to Simmons on Sept. 12.
The decision was hardly a surprise to those close to the senior.
“[Simmons] embodies all of the characteristics that Jay McGillis had,” said Eagles defensive backs coach Kevin Lempa, who also coached McGillis. “As far as toughness, intelligence, being a team player, spirituality—he has all those qualities that [McGillis] did.