Isaiah Simmons has built one of the more unpredictable careers among recent first-round picks, bouncing between four NFL teams since the Arizona Cardinals selected him eighth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. From his standout run at Clemson to his current role with the Carolina Panthers, the safety/linebacker hybrid keeps searching for a permanent home. This guide covers Isaiah Simmons stats, his draft background, his combine numbers, and every major transaction behind his roller-coaster career.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isaiah Simmons |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Olathe, Kansas |
| Age | 28 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession/Occupation | Professional Footballer (Safety/Linebacker) |
| Years Active | 2020–present |
| Education | Clemson University (Sports Communication) |
| Position | Safety/Linebacker (defensive hybrid) |
| Notable Works | 2020 NFL Draft, 8th overall pick; Butkus Award winner at Clemson; NFC Special Teams Player of the Week |
| Awards/Honors | Butkus Award (nation’s best linebacker), PFWA All-Rookie Team |
Who Is Isaiah Simmons?
Early Life and High School Career
Isaiah Simmons was born July 26, 1998, and grew up between Nebraska and Kansas before settling into a standout prep career at Olathe North High School. He started out as a wide receiver and defensive back in Omaha and Olathe, showing the same positional versatility that later defined his college and pro career.
He committed to Clemson University in February 2016, choosing the program over other suitors after a strong senior showing. Coaches already viewed him as a linebacker/safety hybrid rather than a fixed position player, a label that would follow Isaiah Simmons through Clemson, the 2020 NFL Draft, and every stop of his professional career.
Clemson College Career and the Butkus Award
Isaiah Simmons Clemson tenure began with a redshirt year, followed by limited snaps at cornerback and safety as coaches worked him into the rotation. By 2017 he was taking snaps across the secondary and even lining up at defensive end, recording an early interception and sack as Clemson used his size and range in creative ways.
His breakout came in 2018, when he played 15 games and racked up 49 tackles while flashing the range that made him the nation’s best linebacker prospect. In 2019, his redshirt junior season, Simmons exploded for 97 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception across 14 games, converting fully into a linebacker while still taking snaps at safety.
That performance earned him the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker in December 2019. Rather than return to Clemson for a senior year, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft, graduating with a degree in sports communication and forgoing additional college eligibility to enter the league early.
Isaiah Simmons NFL Draft and Combine
2020 NFL Draft — Eighth Overall Pick
The Arizona Cardinals selected Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, viewing him as a rare linebacker-safety hybrid capable of matching up with tight ends, running backs, and slot receivers. His draft slot reflected first-round expectations and made him one of the most versatile defenders in that draft class.
Isaiah Simmons Combine and 40-Yard Dash
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Simmons ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, a number that led all linebackers in attendance. The Isaiah Simmons combine performance, paired with his size and length, is a big reason evaluators still describe him as having an elite athletic profile even after a bumpy start to his professional career.
Isaiah Simmons NFL Career Timeline
Arizona Cardinals (2020–2022)
Isaiah Simmons Cardinals tenure began as a rookie learning multiple roles at once, starting 13 games in 2020 and recording his first career interception and touchdown that season. By 2021, he was the starting inside linebacker for a Cardinals defense that leaned on his coverage skills, finishing with 105 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defensed across 17 games.
His 2022 season included 99 total tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles, but the Cardinals ultimately declined his fifth-year option and let him hit free agency in 2023. Despite three productive years, the Arizona tenure never fully delivered on his eighth overall pick pedigree, closing an up-and-down first chapter of his career.
New York Giants (2023–2024)
The Giants signed Simmons in free agency on a one-year, $2 million contract, hoping his versatility would stabilize their linebacker corps. His most memorable moment came on a blocked field goal that helped seal a Giants win, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during his first season in New York.
Across his two seasons with the Giants, Isaiah Simmons played 17 games each year, contributing 50 total tackles, one sack, one interception, and three passes defended in limited defensive snaps. New York re-signed him for a second season before the roster turned over again, and he moved on in the 2024 offseason as the Giants traded for other pieces at his position.
Green Bay Packers (2025)
Simmons signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency in 2025, but the stop was brief. He was released in the team’s final roster cuts on August 26, never appearing in a regular-season game for Green Bay before hitting the open market again just days after signing.
Carolina Panthers (2025–Present)
The Panthers picked up Isaiah Simmons after his release from Green Bay, giving him a path back onto an NFL roster. He appeared in five games late in the 2025 season in a depth safety/linebacker role, recording five tackles and a blocked punt before Carolina re-signed him to a new one-year contract on March 10, 2026.
After a roster cut and a stint on the practice squad through part of training camp, the Panthers activated Simmons via standard elevation ahead of the 2026 regular-season opener, alongside fellow practice squad linebacker Jeremiah Moon. The Isaiah Simmons Panthers signing has turned into his longest tenured relationship with a single organization since Arizona.
Isaiah Simmons Stats and Career Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| NFL Draft | 2020, Round 1, Pick 8 (Arizona Cardinals) |
| Combine 40-Yard Dash | 4.39 seconds — led all linebackers, 2020 NFL Combine |
| Combined Tackles | 331 |
| Solo Tackles | 227 |
| Sacks | 8.5 |
| Interceptions | 5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 9 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 3 |
| NFL Teams | Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers |
Isaiah Simmons stats through his first several NFL seasons show a defender who contributes across the field rather than piling up numbers at one spot, which fits the safety/linebacker label teams have used since his Clemson days. That same versatility carries into pop culture too — his Isaiah Simmons Madden 26 rating reflects the size, range, and positional flexibility that made him a top-ten pick in the first place, even as his real-life role has shifted from every-down starter to valued depth piece.
Isaiah Simmons Position and Positional Versatility
Teams have never used Isaiah Simmons as a strict linebacker or a strict safety. Clemson lined him up at cornerback, safety, linebacker, and even defensive end within the same season, and NFL coordinators have followed that same script, deploying him as a nickel defender, an off-ball linebacker, and a special teams contributor depending on personnel needs.
That versatility is both his calling card and the reason his career has taken so many turns. A defender who can do a little of everything is valuable on a 53-man roster, but it can also make it harder to lock down one starting job, which helps explain why Simmons has moved through four organizations since being an eighth overall pick.
With the Panthers, that flexibility shows up as safety/linebacker depth and special teams work rather than a full-time starting role, including his blocked punt and limited-action appearances late in the 2025 season. It is a smaller job than what a top-ten pick usually expects, but it has kept Isaiah Simmons on an active NFL roster into his seventh season.
Isaiah Simmons, Panthers Training Camp, and the Nic Scourton Injury
During Panthers training camp, Isaiah Simmons sat down for a 1-on-1 interview with Palmetto Sports anchor Caroline Soro to discuss the atmosphere on Carolina’s first day of practice. The conversation turned to teammate Nic Scourton, who was carted off the practice field after an injury, with Simmons offering a veteran’s perspective on how the defense responded.
As a former Clemson Tiger and two-time NFL journeyman by that point, Simmons brought experience to a Panthers locker room dealing with injury news during camp. His willingness to speak publicly about a teammate’s setback reflected the leadership role he has grown into, even while working to secure his own roster spot.
FAQs
What position does Isaiah Simmons play?
Isaiah Simmons is a safety/linebacker hybrid, a positional label that started at Clemson and has followed him through every NFL stop. Teams use him as an off-ball linebacker, a nickel defender, and a special teams contributor depending on the game plan.
Which team drafted Isaiah Simmons?
The Arizona Cardinals selected Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Arizona before entering free agency in 2023.
What college did Isaiah Simmons attend?
Isaiah Simmons played college football at Clemson University, where he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker in 2019. He graduated with a degree in sports communication before declaring for the NFL draft.
What are Isaiah Simmons’ career stats?
Through his NFL career, Isaiah Simmons has recorded 331 combined tackles, 227 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries across stints with the Cardinals, Giants, Packers, and Panthers.
What was Isaiah Simmons’ 40-yard dash time?
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Isaiah Simmons ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time among all linebackers at that combine, underscoring the elite athletic profile that made him a top-ten pick.
Does Isaiah Simmons play for the Panthers now?
Yes. Isaiah Simmons signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, was re-signed to a new one-year deal on March 10, 2026, and was elevated to the active roster ahead of the 2026 season opener alongside linebacker Jeremiah Moon.
Why has Isaiah Simmons played for so many teams?
Isaiah Simmons has played for the Cardinals, Giants, Packers, and Panthers since being drafted in 2020. His positional versatility makes him valuable as a depth piece, but it has also made it harder for any one team to commit to him as a full-time starter, leading to a contract or roster change nearly every offseason.
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