IS #27

Isaiah Simmons

Safety · Clemson

A former Clemson unanimous All-American and Butkus Award winner, Isaiah Simmons entered the league as one of the most versatile defenders in draft history.

Isaiah Simmons was billed as a positionless chess piece coming out of Clemson, a rare blend of size and range that made him a top-10 pick. He spent his first several NFL seasons at linebacker before shifting to safety, chasing the versatility that defined his college dominance. Now with Carolina, he continues to look for the role that best fits his unique skill set.

★ 2019 Butkus Award winner (top college linebacker)

★ Unanimous first-team All-American (2019)

★ Eighth overall pick, 2020 NFL Draft

★ PFWA All-Rookie Team (2020)

Path to the league

Simmons arrived at Clemson as a three-star safety recruit before moving to the SAM linebacker spot, where he became one of the most decorated defenders in program history. In 2019 he earned unanimous first-team All-American honors and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. The Arizona Cardinals drafted him eighth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Simmons finished his Clemson career with 253 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and four interceptions, cementing his status as one of the most versatile players in ACC history. As a rookie with Arizona he earned PFWA All-Rookie honors, and he later transitioned from linebacker to safety at his own request under a new coaching staff, continuing to showcase the positional flexibility that made him a top-10 pick.

2025 season recap

Simmons signed with Carolina's practice squad in late November 2025 and saw limited action down the stretch, appearing in five games and recording two total tackles. It was a diminished role compared to his earlier career snap counts, reflecting a season spent largely searching for a consistent roster spot.