Michigan State football trio ready to extend Spartans’ NFL draft streak
By Carlos Araoz
2. Antjuan Simmons, LB
Antjuan Simmons has to adjust to new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton’s scheme and he didn’t miss a beat. This speaks to his tremendous football IQ and ability to dissect offenses. You won’t find a player as tough as Simmons.
As a junior (in 2019), he emerged from the shadow of Joe Bachie to make 90 tackles, record 3.5 sacks, and account for 15 tackles for loss. He let the world know why he was such a highly-touted talent coming out of the prep ranks.
Simmons registered 75 tackles in 2020 (which included nine behind the line of scrimmage of opponents). That 10-tackle-per-game average speaks to how efficient he is and his production was off the charts. His tenacity is unmatched. He has a nose for the football, flies around the field, and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
You watch his game film and he is disruptive from the opening whistle until the end of the fourth quarter. He’s a true ball hawk with a relentless motor.
He is more than worthy of being a day-three pick and make a roster as a special teams star and underrated playmaker. With Simmons, he could surprise many and eventually win a starting linebacker job. No future accomplishments are out of reach due to his skill set and sheer determination.