Rashaun Simonise (born May 31, 1995) is an American professionalfootballwide receiver who is a free agent. He has been a member of theChicago Eagles,Cincinnati Bengals,Okanagan Sun,Baltimore Brigade,Winnipeg Blue Bombers,BC Lions,Jousters,Montreal Alouettes andEdmonton Elks.

Rashaun Simonise (Sy-mo-ny-z) is a coach's son. He was born inVancouver,British Columbia. He is the son of John Simonise (who is of Haitian descent). He spent time atquarterback,running back,wide receiver,tight end,cornerback,safety. He led the Vancouver College Irish (Christian Covington also attended)^[1] through the playoffs all the way to the BCHS championship, where they lost. Simonise led all receivers in playoffs with 238 yards in 3 games with 5touchdowns.^[2] Simonise averaged 79 yards per game throughout the playoffs. On the defensive side of the ball, Rashaun made 27 solotackles, and 3interceptions through the playoffs. Rashaun had managed to play for 2 football teams throughout his high school career giving him back to back gamedays every weekend with games on Friday and Saturdays. Simonise also participated in basketball andtrack.

Rashaun Simonise came into theUniversity of Calgary and started every game as atrue freshman (18 years old). Rashaun hauled in 33receptions and 481 yards with 1 touchdown on the offensive side of the ball, along with 111kick return yards on the season which earned him the Canada West Rookie of the Year. Rashaun had contributed in the playoffs, catching 4 receptions for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 18 returns for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns.^[3] His big play ability was shown off in front of a huge showcase in theVanier Cup National Championship in Laval, Quebec where he brought in a 47-yard reception to change the momentum of the game in the Dino's favour but unfortunately had torn his meniscus just a play after the catch causing him to leave the game.^[4]

Rashaun brought in 20 receptions for 391 yards and 1 touchdown during the regular season of his sophomore year. In the playoffs, he had 200 yards receiving on 11 receptions and 3 touchdowns in only 2 games. He also had 2 kick returns for 61 yards.^[5]

Simonise had his break-out season in his junior year and tied for the lead in Canada in touchdowns with 11. He also had 1,013 yards and 65 catches in only 8 games. Simonise was averaging 134.9 yards per game with 22 yards per catch, giving him national attention. His most notable night came againstUniversity of Alberta, where he racked up 9 catches for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns. Simonise also had 4 receptions that were all longer than 30 yards but were called back because of penalties.^[6] Rashaun was named 1st team all Canadian and was the number one ranked receiver in Canada.^[7] He was ruled academically ineligible for the 2016 season. Six teams scouted Simonise including theLos Angeles Rams who used a supplementary pick in the2015 NFL draft onIsaiah Battle.

In 2016, Simonise played for theChicago Eagles ofChampions Indoor Football (CIF). He played in 5 games catching 11 passes for 105 yards with 2 touchdowns. He then had a workout with theJacksonville Sharks of theArena Football League (AFL), but was not signed because of his NFLpro day opportunity.^[8]

Simonise signed with theCincinnati Bengals after going undrafted in the 2016 NFL supplemental draft.^[9] He tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during his time in Bengals'training camp. During his short time there, he had accumulated 64 yards on two catches during the preseason.^[10] On September 3, 2016, he was waived by the Bengals.^[11]

Two weeks after being released by the Bengals Simonise signed with theOkanagan Sun of theCanadian Junior Football League (CJFL).^[12] He played two seasons with the Sun, 2016 and 2017, playing a total of seven games, catching 23 passes for 392 yards with three touchdowns.

On March 28, 2018, Simonise was assigned to theBaltimore Brigade of the AFL.^[13]

As a result of Simonise's positive performance-enhancing drug test with his time in Cincinnati, hisCFL draft status was deferred from 2017 to 2018.^[14] Heading into the2017 CFL Draft, Simonise had been the No. 7 ranked prospect in September 2016 and then moved up to No. 4 in December 2016.^[15][16] He was the ninth ranked prospect entering the2018 CFL Draft.^[17] Simonise has been compared to a mixture ofA. J. Green,Julio Jones andRandy Moss in stature.^[18] He was selected by theWinnipeg Blue Bombers in the second round (12th overall) in the 2018 CFL Draft.^[19] He dressed in all 18 regular season games for the Blue Bombers in 2018, recording four receptions for 122 yards. He lasted just one season with the team as he was part of training camp cuts the following year on June 8, 2019.^[20]

One day after his release from Winnipeg, Simonise signed with his hometownBC Lions of the CFL on June 9, 2019 to a one-year contract.^[21] He again played in all 18 regular season games, but had only five receptions for 53 yards. He became a free agent in February 2020.

Simonise was selected by the Jousters ofThe Spring League during its player selection draft on October 10, 2020.^[22]

On June 30, 2021, it was announced that Simonise had signed with the CFL'sMontreal Alouettes.^[23] He played in 11 games, where he had one catch for seven yards. He was released on May 5, 2022.^[24]

On May 18, 2022, Simonise signed with theEdmonton Elks of the CFL.^[25] He was released on October 21, 2022.^[26]