Jeffery Simmons, a five-star defensive end who signed with Mississippi State in February, has apologized for striking a woman several times after a graphic video surfaced earlier this week.

Simmons posted an apology on his official Facebook page late Saturday:

MSU signee Jeffery Simmons speaks out after violent video surfaces https://t.co/RUrnFEzPw3 pic.twitter.com/B8bzt7CJ1m — Alex McDaniel (@AlexMcDaniel) March 26, 2016



The video shows Simmons — pictured in white tank top, red shorts — repeatedly striking a woman on the ground with both fists.

Simmons (Macon, Miss.) was rated as the nation's 19th overall prospect in the Top 247 Composite. He had offers from several SEC programs and chose the Bulldogs over Ole Miss and Alabama.