Former Gibbs standout Gary Simon, one of the area’s most sought-after recruits in 2012, has left Oklahoma’s football team.
Simon said last week he is still taking classes at OU this semester. Former Gibbs coach Antonio Knox said he is trying to place Simon at a junior college so he can play this coming season.
Simon was a Times' first-team all-Pinellas County and all-Suncoast selection as a senior in 2012 when he had seven interceptions and more than 350 yards receiving.
He also was one of the area’s best basketball players and was the Times' Pinellas County player of the year in 2012. The lure of playing two sports played a big role in his decision to sign with Oklahoma and turn down offers from other schools such as Arkansas and Iowa State.
Simon never played basketball for the Sooners, but he was expected to have a significant role with the football team as a possible starting defensive back.