Isaiah Simmons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Isaiah Simmons

Simmons at Olathe North in 2016
No. 19 – New York Giants
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1998-07-26) July 26, 1998 (age 26) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	238 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:	Olathe North (Olathe, Kansas)
College:	Clemson (2016–2019)
NFL Draft:	2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
Arizona Cardinals (2020) New York Giants (2023–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2020) CFP national champion (2018) Butkus Award (college) (2019) Unanimous All-American (2019) ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2019) First-team All-ACC (2019)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 329 Sacks: 8.5 Forced fumbles: 9 Fumble recoveries: 3 Interceptions: 5 Pass deflections: 21 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Isaiah Simmons (born July 26, 1998) is an American professional football player who plays as a safety for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He is known for being able to play many different positions on defense, like linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety. Simmons played college football for the Clemson Tigers before being picked by the Arizona Cardinals as the eighth overall player in the 2020 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Football

Isaiah Simmons was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 26, 1998. He grew up in Olathe, Kansas, where he went to Olathe North High School. In high school, he was a star player on both offense and defense, playing as a defensive back and a wide receiver. After showing great talent, he decided to play college football for Clemson University in February 2016.

College Football Career at Clemson

Simmons started his college journey at Clemson in 2016. He "redshirted" his first year, which means he practiced with the team but didn't play in games, allowing him to gain experience and keep an extra year of eligibility.

In 2017, playing as a safety, he appeared in 14 games and made 49 tackles, which are plays where he stopped an opposing player. He also recorded one sack, meaning he tackled the opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

For the 2018 season, Simmons changed his main position to linebacker. He had an amazing play against Louisville, where he intercepted a pass and ran it back 27 yards for a touchdown, helping his team win 77–16. That year, in 15 games, he had 97 tackles and one interception.

Instead of entering the NFL draft early, Simmons chose to return to Clemson for his junior year in 2019. This was a great decision! He had an outstanding season, earning the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in the country. He was also named a Unanimous All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. After graduating in December 2019 with a degree in sports communication, Simmons decided to enter the 2020 NFL draft. Throughout his time at Clemson, he was praised for his amazing ability to play many different defensive roles, including linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.

Joining the NFL: Professional Career

Isaiah Simmons showed off his incredible athletic skills at the 2020 NFL Combine, a special event where college players are tested before the draft. He ran the 40-yard dash in an amazing 4.39 seconds, which was the fastest time for any linebacker that year.

Arizona Cardinals (2020–2022)

Simmons was one of the top players chosen in the 2020 NFL draft, which was held online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arizona Cardinals picked him as the eighth overall player.

In his first year, 2020, Simmons made a big play in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. Even though he played only a few snaps, he caught his first career interception from quarterback Russell Wilson in overtime, helping the Cardinals win a close game. He was recognized for his strong start by being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In 2021, Simmons became a starting inside linebacker for the Cardinals. He played in all 17 games and was one of the team's top tacklers, finishing with 105 tackles. He also forced four fumbles, which means he knocked the ball loose from an opposing player.

During the 2022 season, Simmons continued to be a key player. In Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, he intercepted a pass and ran it back 56 yards for his first NFL touchdown, helping his team win 42–34. That season, he had 99 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions.

New York Giants (2023–present)

On August 24, 2023, Simmons was traded to the New York Giants. This meant he would start a new chapter in his NFL career.

In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Simmons made another game-changing play for the Giants. He intercepted a pass from Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders and returned it for a touchdown, which helped seal the victory for his new team. He finished the 2023 season with 50 tackles and one interception.

The Giants were happy with Simmons, and on April 5, 2024, they re-signed him for another year. He continued to make big plays, like on October 6, 2024, in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. Simmons blocked a field goal attempt by Jason Myers, and his teammate Bryce Ford-Wheaton picked up the ball and ran it for a touchdown, helping the Giants win 29-20.

NFL Career Statistics