Oak Park and River Forest H.S. senior wide receiver Simmie Cobbs has committed to play college football at Purdue. With another scholarship offer from Eastern Illinois and interest from several other Division I schools, Cobbs chose the Boilermakers this week for several reasons, including the opportunity to play football in the Big 10, receive a good education, and the relative proximity of the school to Oak Park.
This season, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Cobbs has played a major role in leading the Huskies to a 6-1 record. In addition being the top wide receiver at OPRF, he also plays defense and special teams.
Cobbs has also overcome his share of adversity en route to finding a college fit in West Lafayette, Indiana. An OPRF student his first two years of high school, Cobbs transferred to Montini for his junior year. After not playing football for the eventual state champion Broncos all last season, Cobbs returned to OPRF this year. He missed the first two games this season before being cleared to play by the IHSA. Since his return, the Huskies have flourished on both side of the ball, particularly offensively with his explosive ability in the mix. Cobbs is close friends with Fenwick star running back/linebacker Robert Spillane. Cobbs, who lives with the Spillane family, and Spillane have garnered their share of headlines as the Huskies and Friars are both 6-1 this season.
Once the football season is completed (hopefully with a deep postseason run and perhaps even Class 8A state title for the Huskies) Cobbs will join the OPRF basketball team as a welcomed addition to head coach Matt Maloney’s squad.
For now, on the gridiron, Cobbs looks to leads the Huskies to another victory against Hinsdale Central tonight at Oak Park Stadium (Oct. 18). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
