Simeon’s Corey Randolph is a big guy with the soul of a poet and the hands of a sculptor.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound senior tackle plays on both sides of the ball. Off the field, however, he began a quiet act of remembrance last winter following the death of his maternal grandmother.
“Just before she passed last December, she left me a prayer in a voicemail,” Randolph said. “I always make sure to listen to it before every game. She came from New Orleans, where my parents are from and where I was born.
“It’s important for me not just to play for myself but my family, the team and my coaches.”
Randolph had all of that in mind Saturday afternoon in Chicago. The Boston College recruit chipped in with seven tackles and a sack for the Wolverines in a 44-28 loss at Marist.
Sophomore receiver Jalonny Billingsley made touchdown catches of 53 and 34 yards from sophomore quarterback Aki King and senior receiver Elijah Welch added an 85-yard kickoff return TD in the season opener for Simeon (0-1).
Randolph, a four-year varsity player, emerged last season as a disruptive force by blending elite size with mobility, quickness and athleticism. According to 247 Sports, he’s one of three players for the Wolverines ranked among the state’s top 50 prospects for the 2027 recruiting class.
On that list, Randolph is joined by defensive end Brian DeMoss and running back James Bell, who broke free Saturday on an 18-yard TD run.
“Corey’s quiet and pretty shy off the field, but on the field, he’s a dog — a completely different player,” Bell said. “It feels great to have him as my lead blocker.
“He definitely is an inspiration for all of the younger guys on the team. He’s big, tough, strong and never goes down without a fight.”
The nimble Randolph also plays first base for Simeon in baseball. His lateral quickness is a critical part of his success. And with his size, he stands outside the usual crowd.
“Corey’s just not like everybody else,” Billingsley said. “Off the field, he’s kind of funny. He’s his own person in his own way. He’s a leader who sets a tone for everybody else.
“The main thing about him is how strong and committed he is when he’s playing. No matter what, you know he’s always going to get the job done.”
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Randolph chose Boston College over Stanford. Quiet and introspective, he’s still learning how to optimize his natural gifts and physical attributes. His height and weight are just a starting point.
“I’ve got 12-inch hands and I’ve really learned how to use them,” he said. “During my recruiting, a lot of coaches talked about how much they loved my knockback and how I got my hands on them and put guys off balance.
“That’s the best part of my game — the point of attack, my first punch, strength and having a really good motor.”
As a freshman, Randolph was only 5-10. He looked in awe at the older players in Simeon’s program who were bigger and stronger. His confidence soared along the way as he grew.
So did his understanding and perception of the game.
“I think last year was the time when everything really started to click for me,” Randolph said. “My first two years, I didn’t really play offense, just on defense. I started noticing more and the game slowed down for me.
“Now, it’s all about beating that offensive lineman, seeing the ball and getting it.”
Randolph came to Chicago at age 5. His father played football at Jackson State. His younger brother and sister are 12-year-old fraternal twins.
Legacy is deeply meaningful to him.
“I love being close with my teammates and coaches,” Randolph said. “You only get four years of high school and it goes by in the blink of an eye. I want it to count.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.