Arizona Cardinals select Isaiah Simmons 8th in 2020 NFL Draft

Versatile Clemson defensive star Isaiah Simmons is officially off the NFL Draft board as the Arizona Cardinals selected the 6’4” 238-pounder with the 8th pick.

The Butkus Award winner, given to the nation’s top linebacker, joins newly-acquired wideout and former Tiger DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona.

Simmons ran a blistering 4.39 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine.

NFL.com describes Simmons as: “an electric hybrid defender capable of playing anywhere on the second level. He is a unique playmaker with impact potential as a blitzer or cover guy vs. tight ends and running backs. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals use a multi-dimensional player with a rare set of skills and versatility.”

According to ClemsonTigers.com:

“Athletic defender who transitioned from safety in 2017 to the starting nickel/sam linebacker position in 2018 and was eventually named the Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker in 2019 in only his second year at the position … concluded Clemson career credited with 253 tackles (28.5 for loss), 10.5 sacks, 22 pass breakups, four interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 1,856 career snaps over 44 games (29 starts).”

Dabo Swinney: “Isaiah Simmons is as advertised. The reason he has become so intriguing to so many people is because of his versatility. He’s a graduate and he’s incredibly smart from a football standpoint. He played five positions and clearly wanted to execute at different positions for us, which demonstrates his knowledge and his diversity. But he’s a unicorn. You don’t find guys like him that can play safety, that can cover, that can blitz like a defensive end, and that can play linebacker. He’s a great special teams guy. There’s really nothing he can’t do. The biggest thing I can say about Isaiah is if you get 53 men on a roster, he’s like having 56.”