Isaiah Simmons facts for kids
Simmons with the Olathe North Eagles in 2016
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| No. 28 – Green Bay Packers | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | July 26, 1998 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Olathe North (Olathe, Kansas) |
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| College: | Clemson (2016–2019) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
Isaiah Simmons is an American professional football player. He plays as a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 26, 1998, Simmons played college football for the Clemson Tigers. He was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. During his time at Clemson, Simmons was known for being able to play many different positions. He played as a linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.
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Early Life and High School Football
Isaiah Simmons was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He grew up and went to Olathe North High School in Olathe, Kansas. In high school, he was a talented player. He played both defensive back and wide receiver. In February 2016, he decided to go to Clemson University for college.
College Football Career
Simmons started his college journey at Clemson in 2016. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player, meaning he practiced but didn't play in games. This allowed him to gain experience without using a year of his college eligibility.
Playing for the Clemson Tigers
In 2017, Simmons played as a safety. He appeared in 14 games and made 49 tackles. He also had one sack. The next year, in 2018, he changed his position to linebacker. He had a memorable play against Louisville, where he caught an interception and ran it back 27 yards for a touchdown. Clemson won that game 77–16. In 15 games that season, Simmons recorded 97 tackles and one interception.
Instead of entering the 2019 NFL draft, Simmons decided to stay at Clemson for another year in 2019. This was a great decision for him. He won the Butkus Award, which is given to the best linebacker in college football. After graduating in December 2019, he announced he would enter the 2020 NFL draft. Throughout his college career, Simmons was praised for his ability to play many different defensive roles. He could play linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.
Professional Football Journey
Isaiah Simmons showed off his amazing athletic skills at the 2020 NFL Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, which was the fastest among all linebackers. He was one of the top players invited to the 2020 NFL Draft. This draft was held online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Time with the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals picked Simmons as the eighth overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his first season, he made a big play in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. He caught his first career interception from quarterback Russell Wilson. This helped the Cardinals win the game in overtime. After his strong first year, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2021, Simmons became a starting inside linebacker for the Cardinals. He played in all 17 games. He finished the season with 105 tackles, which was third-highest on the team. He also forced four fumbles and defended seven passes. In 2022, he continued to play well. He had four sacks, 99 total tackles, and two interceptions. One of his interceptions was returned 56 yards for his first NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.
In May 2023, the Cardinals decided not to extend Simmons' contract for a fifth year. This meant he would become a free agent in 2024.
Playing for the New York Giants
On August 24, 2023, Simmons was traded to the New York Giants. The Giants sent a seventh-round draft pick to the Cardinals in exchange for him.
During a game against the Washington Commanders in Week 11, Simmons made another touchdown-scoring interception. He caught a pass from Sam Howell and ran it back for a touchdown. This play helped the Giants win the game. In the 2023 season, he had one sack, 50 total tackles, and one interception. He also defended three passes. In April 2024, the Giants re-signed Simmons for another year.
On October 6, 2024, Simmons made a huge play against the Seattle Seahawks. He blocked a field goal attempt by Jason Myers. His teammate, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, picked up the blocked kick and ran it for a touchdown. This helped the Giants win the game 29-20. For his amazing performance, Simmons was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Joining the Green Bay Packers
On April 29, 2025, Isaiah Simmons signed a contract to play for the Green Bay Packers.
Images for kids
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Simmons with the Olathe North Eagles in 2016
