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.”
