One of the few transfer portal wins for Syracuse this offseason
Name: Jason Simmons
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195lbs
Hometown: Lancaster, Texas
High School: Lancaster (via New Mexico State)
2020 stats: Didn’t play as New Mexico State cancelled its season. Started eight games in 2019 as a true freshman with 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
2021 projections: Being a D1 starter helps Simmons and the Syracuse defense. He’ll be one of the guys that fills in the void left by Andre Cisco and Trill Williams in the safety unit of the 3-3-5. Where he exactly plays is still a question, but he’s been running with the ones during preseason and there’s not much to suggest he’ll be removed from that position.
How’d he get here?: Simmons was a hot commodity in the transfer portal, with Power Five schools Michigan State and TCU offering him.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars from 247sports, two stars from Rivals, and not ranked by ESPN. Take from that what you will.
Money quote: You knew that Syracuse’s success with defensive backs would come in handy sooner rather than later. Simmons pointed out that the three new NFL DBs played a big factor in his decision to commit to the Orange.
“Being able to know that I’ll be able to be put in a great opportunity to fulfill my ultimate dream of being able to play in the NFL. That was a huge factor. I’m going to be coached accordingly. Just going to try to come in immediately and make an impact.”
Twitter feed: @jaysimms11
Tweets of wonder: Still surprised this isn’t a feature.
They need to put throwback teams in madden
— Jason Simmons Jr. (@jaysimms11) October 16, 2020
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: Continuing the theme of satisfying the TNIAAM comic wing, one of J.K. Simmons’s most prominent roles is as J. Jonah Jameson in the Rami Spider-Man trilogy. He’ll reprise that role in the upcoming “Spider-Man: No Way Home” film, whose trailer dropped last night.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Simmons comes from an athletic background. His father, Jason Simmons Sr., played football at Arizona State and was selected in the fifth round of the 1998 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s currently the secondary coach of the Carolina Panthers. Simmons’s sister, Jaddan, is a sophomore on the Arizona State women’s basketball team.
Let’s get a look at ya: Some tape from his New Mexico State days:
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