Isaiah Simmons

Isaiah Simmons's Biography

Born on July 26, 1998, in Omaha, Nebraska, Isaiah Simmons carved out an illustrious career for himself in professional American football. He’s currently recognized as a safety for the New York Giants, one of the franchises in the National Football League (NFL). This followed a successful stint with the Clemson Tigers during his college years before being picked by the Arizona Cardinals as their eighth overall choice in the 2020 NFL draft.

As a person with tremendous flexibility, Simmons stood out for his ability to interchange roles while playing for the Clemson Tigers. The positions he played varied such as linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety. Simmons’ unmistakable talent traces its roots to his high school years at Olathe North High School in Olathe, Kansas where he showcased his skills as a defensive back and wide receiver. His unwavering commitment to his craft was recognized by Clemson University which he joined in February 2016.

Following a redshirted year at Clemson in 2016, Simmons had a productive season in 2017, playing in 14 games as a safety. He accumulated impressive stats with 49 tackles and one sack. Demonstrating his penchant for adapting, Simmons switched his position to a linebacker in 2018. From the 15 games he played, he made a remarkable 97 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and secured one interception. His success in 2018 led him to return to Clemson in 2019 despite joining the 2019 NFL draft. The year proved to be a fruitful one for Simmons as he was honored with the Butkus Award for the best linebacker that year.

In December 2019, Simmons graduated with a degree in sports communication. Foregoing his senior year, Simmons declared his intentions to participate in the 2020 NFL draft. Known for his versatility, Simmons frequently alternated playing positions during his college years including linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.

Simmons continued to leave his mark during the 2020 NFL Combine, leading all linebackers with an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash. He was among the 58 players invited to the 2020 NFL Draft, which was held virtually due to social distancing protocols as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simmons was chosen as the eighth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals.

In his debut season with the Cardinals, Simmons demonstrated his skill in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Despite only playing five snaps, Simmons managed to secure his first career interception off Russell Wilson in the final minute of overtime, propelling the Cardinals to a 37-34 victory. His debut season performance secured him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

By the 2021 season, Simmons had cemented his place as a starting inside linebacker. All 17 games saw him start, culminating in him finishing third on the team with 105 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and seven deflected passes. During a remarkable Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Simmons garnered five tackles and a 56-yard interception return for his first NFL touchdown, contributing to a 42-34 victory.

On May 1, 2023, the Cardinals opted not to execute the fifth-year option on Simmons’ contract, rendering him a free agent for the 2024 offseason. He didn’t remain unattached for long. On August 24, 2023, Simmons found a new home with the New York Giants, who secured his services in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick (No.226) in the 2024 NFL draft.

As a Giant, Simmons made significant contributions, none more so than during a Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders. His interception off Sam Howell which he converted into a touchdown added a crucial victory for the Giants. Recognizing his value, the Giants re-signed Simmons to a 1-year deal worth $2,000,000 on April 5, 2024.