Isaiah Simmons “The Unicorn” declares for 2020 NFL Draft

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons officially put his name into the 2020 NFL Draft today. What makes Simmons the unicorn in a new age of football?

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Isaiah  Simmons LB

Scouting Report

The unicorn has declared! Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons officially declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, like we all assumed after a fantastic season. Simmons has taken some by surprise with how rapidly he became LB1 after there were questions once Alabama LB Dylan Moses got hurt. He has risen to the top of the linebacker rankings and into a top 5 player in this class. The great thing about is that Simmons isn’t just a linebacker.

Isaiah Simmons brings very good size to the position with very good length in an athletic and compact build. An elite athlete, Simmons translates that athleticism into elite production and unique position versatility. He shows very good mental processing as a run defender when deciphering when to trigger fast and when he needs to let the trash sort out in front on him so he doesn’t get caught up in piles.

Once he sees the alley, he uses his elite foot speed to fill gaps in a hurry when he’s coming downhill whether it be as a linebacker or as a single-high safety. Simmons is effective in consistently keeping himself free of blocks yet isn’t afraid to take on blocks when he needs to in order to make plays for other teammates.

His foot speed allows him to have incredible range as a sideline to sideline tackler who can adjusts his angles to track down ball carriers with ease. He approaches ball carriers with very good technique as a tackler who shows the ability to wrap up consistently or just run straight the ball carriers. The most impressive part about his range as a tackler is how he plays with relentless effort which is a testament to his elite competitive toughness.

In coverage, Simmons uses his length to shrink throwing windows when lined up as a middle linebacker, understanding the depth he needs in his drops as a hook/curl defender to force the quarterback to put more air on throws.

He shows the ability the be a very good underneath defender in the curl/flat area as well with his ability to gain depth while reading the wide receiver and providing good reroutes of receivers when he needs to. Simmons possesses a unique combination of size, athleticism, and coverage skills to be a guy who erases tight ends at the next level in man coverage.

Simmons calling card will be his versatility to line up almost anywhere on the field. He has the strength and mental processing to be an effective linebacker up the middle. He has the range and coverage abilities to play as an outside linebacker and providing reps at the nickel. He has the ability and ball skills to lineup at safety even at the single-high safety as evidenced by his three interceptions and seven pass break ups.

There aren’t many words to describe Simmons but unicorn fits the bill perfectly. He is a player we haven’t seen so we should appreciate all that he is doing and hold off on comparisons. There are no comparisons for Simmons, he is the new prototype.

Isaiah Simmons declaration is the first step in seeing positionless football. He is going to make a team really happy come April and change the way a defense plays football. Isaiah Simmons is going to be a superstar at the next level.