 Simmons with the Olathe North Eagles in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 27 – Carolina Panthers | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1998-07-26)July 26, 1998 (age 27) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Olathe North (Olathe, Kansas) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Clemson (2016–2019) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2020: 1st round, 8th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
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Isaiah Simmons (born July 26, 1998) is an American professionalfootballlinebacker for theCarolina Panthers of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theClemson Tigers and was selected by theArizona Cardinals eighth overall in the2020 NFL draft. While at Clemson, Simmons was noted for his positional versatility as he played linebacker,defensive end,cornerback and safety.
Isaiah Simmons was born inOmaha, Nebraska on July 26, 1998.[1][2] He later attendedOlathe North High School inOlathe, Kansas, playingdefensive back andwide receiver. He committed toClemson University in February 2016.[3]
Simmons redshirted his first year at Clemson in 2016. As a safety in 2017, he played in 14 games, recording 49 tackles and one sack.[4] In 2018, he converted to linebacker.[5] In a game against Louisville, he had a 27-yard pick six in a 77–16 victory.[6] In 15 games, Simmons had 97 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception.[7][8] He returned to Clemson in 2019 rather than enter the2019 NFL draft.[9] Simmons received theButkus Award as the nation's best linebacker for his performance that year.[10] After graduating in December 2019 with a degree insports communication, Simmons announced that he would forgo his senior year by declaring for the2020 NFL draft.[11][12] During his time at Clemson, Simmons was noted for his positional versatility, taking snaps at linebacker,defensive end,cornerback, andsafety.[13][14]
| Year | Team | Class | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FF | FR | ||||
| 2016 | Clemson | FR | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Clemson | FR | 13 | 27 | 18 | 45 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | Clemson | SO | 15 | 53 | 35 | 88 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | Clemson | JR | 15 | 67 | 37 | 104 | 16.5 | 8.0 | 3 | 42 | 14.0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Career[15] | 44 | 148 | 90 | 238 | 28.5 | 11.0 | 4 | 69 | 17.3 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 1 | ||
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft3+5⁄8 in (1.92 m) | 239 lb (108 kg) | 33+3⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.39 s | 1.55 s | 2.58 s | 39.0 in (0.99 m) | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) | 20 reps | |||
| All values fromNFL Combine, except bench fromPro Day[16][17] | ||||||||||||
Simmons participated in the 2020NFL Combine, leading all linebackers with a 4.39-second40-yard dash.[18] He was one of 58 players invited to the 2020 NFL Draft, which was held virtually due tosocial distancing regulations arising from theCOVID-19 pandemic, where he was selected by theArizona Cardinals with the eighth overall pick.[19][20]
Despite playing only five snaps in Week 7 against theSeattle Seahawks onSunday Night Football, Simmons recorded his first career interception offRussell Wilson with a minute left in overtime, helping the Cardinals win 37–34.[21] He was named to thePFWA All-Rookie Team.[22]
Simmons entered the 2021 season as a starting inside linebacker. He started all 17 games, finishing third on the team with 105 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and seven passes defensed.[23][24]
In Week 7 against theNew Orleans Saints, Simmons recorded five tackles and returned an interception 56 yards for his first NFL touchdown in the second quarter in the 42–34 win.[25] In the 2022 season, he finished with four sacks, 99 total tackles (68 solo), two interceptions, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 17 games and 13 starts.[26]
On May 1, 2023, the Cardinals declined the fifth-year option of Simmons' contract, making him a free agent in the 2024 offseason.[27]
Simmons was traded to the New York Giants on August 24, 2023, in exchange for a seventh-round pick (No. 226) in the 2024 NFL draft.[28][29]
During a Week 11 game against theWashington Commanders, Simmons intercepted a pass off ofSam Howell and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the game and resulting in a victory for the Giants.[30] In the 2023 season, he finished with one sack, 50 total tackles (33 solo), one interception, three passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble in 17 games and four starts.[31]
On April 5, 2024, the Giants re-signed Simmons to a one-year, $2 million contract.[32] On October 6, in a game against theSeattle Seahawks, Simmons blocked a potential game-tying field goal fromJason Myers, which was returned for a touchdown byBryce Ford-Wheaton, as the Giants won 29-20. Simmons was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
On April 29, 2025, Simmons signed with theGreen Bay Packers.[33] He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.[34]
On November 25, 2025, Simmons signed with theCarolina Panthers' practice squad.[35] Simmons was signed to the active roster followingTrevin Wallace's move to injured reserve on December 27.[36]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | TD | PD | FF | FR | ||||
| 2020 | ARZ | 16 | 7 | 43 | 11 | 54 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | ARZ | 17 | 17 | 70 | 35 | 105 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | ARZ | 17 | 13 | 68 | 31 | 99 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 2 | 61 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | NYG | 17 | 4 | 33 | 17 | 50 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 54 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | NYG | 17 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 84 | 42 | 226 | 103 | 329 | 15.0 | 8.5 | 5 | 127 | 2 | 21 | 9 | 3 | |