Justin Simmons (American football)

Justin Simmons
refer to caption
Simmons in the 2016 NFL season.
No. 31 – Denver Broncos
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1993-11-19) November 19, 1993
Manassas, Virginia
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school: Martin County (Stuart, Florida)
College: Boston College
NFL Draft: 2016 / Round: 3 / Pick: 98
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2018
Total tackles: 131
Sacks: 2.0
Forced fumbles: 0
Pass deflections: 10
Interceptions: 5
Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Justin Simmons (born November 19, 1993) is an American football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College.

College career

Simmons attended Boston College where he enrolled as a communication major in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. While at Boston College, he played both safety and cornerback.[1]

In 2012, as a freshman he appeared in all 12 of the Eagles games. He started six games at free safety and one at cornerback. He finished seventh on the team with 52 tackles, he was tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. In 2013, as a sophomore, he appeared in all 13 games, he recorded 34 tackles, 22 solo tackles, and three pass break-ups. In 2014, as a junior, he started all 13 games, the first seven at free safety and the final six at right cornerback, moving due to injuries on the team. For the season, he led the team with 76 tackles, 63 solo and two interceptions. He finished second on the team with five pass breakups. Before the 2015 season, he was awarded the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship Award.[2] For the season, as a senior, he started all 12 games at free safety. He finished the season third on the team with 67 tackles, 49 solo. He was tied for 20th in the nation and second in the conference with five interceptions and tied for first in the conference with three fumble recoveries. He was named Second Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and ACC head coaches. He was also named Second Team All-ACC by Phil Steele and the Associated Press. He was named to Steele's All-American Fourth Team and ProFootballFocus.com All-America honorable mention.

Professional career

In February 2016 at the NFL Scouting Combine, he recorded the best 20-yard shuttle since 2006 (3.81) with a time of 3.85 seconds.[3] He also tied Braxton Miller with the best 60-yard shuttle since 2014 (10.72) with a time of 10.84 seconds.[3] At the event, he finished in the top five in his position group in five of seven field events. He was also the overall winner in two, the 20-yard shuttle and the 60-yard shuttle and was second overall in the three-cone drill.[3] He was rated the fourth best free safety in the 2016 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[4] In March, before the NFL draft, Simmons worked out for the Dallas Cowboys.[5]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP
6 ft 2 3⁄8 in
(1.89 m)		 202 lb
(92 kg)		 32 5⁄8 in
(0.83 m)		 9 5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.61 s 1.60 s 2.67 s 3.85 s 6.58 s 40 in
(1.02 m)		 10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)		 16 reps
All values are from NFL Combine.[6][4]

The Denver Broncos selected Simmons in the third round (98th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.[7]

2016

On May 13, 2016, the Denver Broncos signed Simmons to four-year, $3.06 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $645,420.[8][9][10]

On November 13, 2016, as the New Orleans Saints attempted to defeat the Broncos with an extra point, Simmons blocked it, after which teammate Will Parks grabbed it in mid-air and returned it for a conversion safety, winning the game for the Broncos 25-23.[11]

2017

Simmons became the Broncos starting strong safety in 2017 following the release of veteran T. J. Ward. He started the first 13 games before suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 14. He was placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2017.[12] He finished the season with 68 tackles, one sack, five passes defensed and two interceptions, including one returned 65 yards for a touchdown.

References

  1. ↑ After position switch, BC safety Justin Simmons was sharp at corner
  2. ↑ Vega, Michael (September 13, 2015). "Justin Simmons receives McGillis Scholarship Award". Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Benbow, Julian (March 18, 2016). "How BC's Justin Simmons became a hot NFL prospect". Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Justin Simmons - Boston College, FS : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Cowboys reportedly work out safety Justin Simmons, who had five INTs in his senior season". March 31, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  6. ↑ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Justin Simmons". NFL.com. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  7. ↑ Hayre, Chris (April 29, 2016). "Broncos select S Justin Simmons with the 98th pick in the third round". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Spotrac.com: Justin Simmons contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ Mason, Andrew (May 13, 2016). "Broncos sign draft picks Devontae Booker and Justin Simmons". DenverBroncos.om. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ Jhabvala, Nicki (May 13, 2016). "Devontae Booker, Justin Simmons sign rookie contracts with Broncos". DenverPost.com. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  11. ↑ Wolfe, Cameron (November 11, 2016). "How Broncos rookie safeties Will Parks, Justin Simmons converged on game-winning PAT block and score". Denver Post. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ Swanson, Ben (December 13, 2017). "Broncos place Justin Simmons on injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com.
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