Isaiah Simmons drafted in first round by Arizona Cardinals
Former Clemson players Isaiah Simmons and A.J. Terrell were both drafted in the top half of the first round Thursday night in the opening round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Simmons, a hybrid linebacker, was tabbed by the Arizona Cardinals with the eighth overall pick while Terrell was taken by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 16 overall.
Their selections mean Clemson has produced multiple first-round picks in back-to-back drafts for the first time in program history; the Tigers had three players selected in the opening round of the 2019 draft.
Simmons has been described as “position-less” by many NFL analysts, and the 6-foot-4, 238-pounder has embraced that label, saying quite simply that he plays “defense.”
Last season Simmons logged 100 or more snaps at five different positions, including free safety, strong safety, slot corner, defensive end and inside linebacker.
“I don’t even know how to classify myself,” Simmons said. “You could put me anywhere, really.”
The Cardinals had other pressing needs, but Simmons was too tempting to pass up.
“He can do so many different things,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “One week he might be lined up against (San Francisco tight end) George Kittle; the next week they may use him as a spy against (Seattle quarterback) Russell Wilson.
“You can blitz him from off the edge, you can even play him in deep-middle third. This guy can do so many things different things for a creative coordinator. He’s an outstanding prospect."
Simmons was classified as a linebacker at the NFL Combine and wowed the NFL coaches and other personnel on hand. He was timed in a blistering 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the second-best time of any linebacker since 2003. For good measure, he also posted a 39-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump.
“I think it’s unfair to compare anyone to Isaiah Simmons,” former teammate James Skalski said. “I mean look what the guy did at the Combine. We’ve been telling you all that he’s an absolute freak. He played defense for us, you know what I’m saying? The guy played everything.”
Bottom line?
Simmons will be capable of playing wherever a defensive coordinator chooses to put him.
“Isaiah Simmons is going to wreak havoc on (NFL) offenses,” ACC Network analyst Mark Herzlich said.
Simmons certainly accomplished that at Clemson, leading the Tigers in snaps (818), tackles (107), tackles for loss (16), sacks (8) and quarterback pressures (15). He capped his career by being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a unanimous All-American and recipient of the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
"He's a tenacious competitor that hates to lose," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "He's incredibly gifted, but his best football is still ahead of him."
Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney expects Simmons to have an immediate impact at the next level.
“He dispels the myth that unicorns don’t exist,” said Swinney, who has watched 59 of his players be drafted since becoming the Tigers’ coach in 2008. “He’s like getting three guys with one pick – he’s like getting three first-rounders.”
Swinney has coached 12 first-round draft picks in the last eight years.
Simmons will join former Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Cardinals.
A.J. Terrell drafted in first round by Atlanta Falcons
Terrell, who’s from Atlanta, became the 14th Clemson defensive back to be drafted since 2010 and the eighth Clemson cornerback picked during that span when the Falcons picked him up at No. 16 overall.
He's the third-highest cornerback selected in Clemson history, trailing only No. 11 Donnell Woolford in 1989 and Tye Hill at No. 15 in 2006.
"This guy is fast," Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "This guy is athletic. This guy has the ability to play the ball in the air. We have big expectations for A.J. to come in help continue to build this defense."
A 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, Terrell played in 44 games in three seasons at Clemson and grabbed national attention when he starred in Clemson's 44-16 victory against Alabama in the 2018 National Championship Game. Terrell had eight tackles and returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown.
Terrell was impressive at the NFL Combine, clocking a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and a 34.5-inch vertical leap.
He'll join former Clemson defensive lineman Grady Jarrett in Atlanta.
"The Falcons are getting a very highly skilled defensive back and a true professional on and off the field," Clemson cornerbacks coach Mike Reed said. "He came in here with a business-like approach from day one."
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