Simmons was an ultra-productive college linebacker, but his lack of size could affect his chances of being drafted by an NFL team. Either way, with his incredible work ethic, expect Simmons to catch on with a professional team either through the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
Source: The Only Colors
When the 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29, the clock will be ticking on history. USC, Michigan and Michigan State are the only three college football programs to have prospects selected in at least 80 straight drafts. The former two are virtual locks to keep their streaks alive, with linemen like Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC) and Kwity Paye (Michigan) widely expected to come off the board early. Michigan State’s hopes, meanwhile, rest with a trio of potential Day Three targets — one being linebacker Antjuan Simmons.
Source: CBSSports
I’ve trained for years purely as a football player, but this pre-draft process suddenly had me training a little more like a track star. I found myself aiming for specific times at specific drills, like the 40-yard dash and the 3-cone drill, aiming to improve one-tenth of a second at a time in a critical event for teams to measure the kind of athlete I am.
Source: Lansing State Journal
Michigan State linebacker Antjuan Simmons has been invited to a second all-star game that won’t be played. Simmons on Monday received an invitation from the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after previously being selected for the East-West Shrine Bowl. Neither event is holding an actual game this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
Outgoing Michigan State linebacker Antjuan Simmons has been selected for the East-West Shrine Bowl, though in 2020 it’s more of an acknowledgment of a player’s college credentials than an opportunity to significantly rise up draft boards. The actual all-star game, which was scheduled for Jan. 23 in St. Petersburg, Florida, has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
Two Spartans – redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown and senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons – were named to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Second Team, the AP announced on Tuesday. Brown, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and second-team choice by the media, ranks tied for second in the FBS with five interceptions in just seven games (0.71 pg).
Add Antjuan Simmons to the list of Michigan State football players heading to the 2021 NFL draft. The senior linebacker announced via Twitter on Friday night he plans to forgo his remaining year of eligibility to chase his professional future. He could have returned for one more season, with the NCAA granting a blanket waiver for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown was named to the first team by the coaches and the second team by the media, while senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons was named to the second team by the media and the third team by the coaches. Redshirt senior defensive end Drew Beesley was an honorable mention choice by both the coaches and media.
Senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and redshirt senior kicker Matt Coghlin has earned Big Ten Special Teams Co-Player of the Week honors following MSU’s win over No. 8 Northwestern last Saturday.
Learn more about where Antjuan Simmons gets his strength, and see what has been happening with the Hockey and Women’s Basketball teams as they prepare for their seasons.
Simmons took five steps toward Haskins, then quickly changed direction and, off a one-step backpedal, leaped at the goal line. The 6-foot, 225-pound senior linebacker reached his right arm skyward and caught just enough air to tip the ball. He nearly intercepted it, but Selzer knocked it away.
Source: Detroit Free Press
When Michigan State gets back on the football field is anyone’s guess at this point. However, when the Spartans do take the field, two of their most experienced, important players plan to be there. Senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons and fifth-year senior offensive lineman Matt Allen both said on Wednesday they intend to play their final season at Michigan State, whenever that might come.
Source: Detroit News
Monday brought the reveal of the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, which includes Michigan State senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons. The Bednarik Award, now in its 26th year, is given annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football. MSU has never had a player win the award.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
Antjuan Simmons has been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. Simmons, who started all 13 games last year, had a breakout season with a team-leading 90 tackles and a career-best 15 tackles for loss as a junior in 2019. He ranked sixth in the Big Ten in tackles and seventh in the conference in TFLs.
Heading into the 2020 season, Simmons is back while Michigan State has to replace a pair of starting linebackers, develop depth and adjust to significant changes. Mel Tucker is the new head coach, Scottie Hazelton is the new defensive coordinator and Ross Els is the new linebackers coach.
Source: MLive.com
Els is sure of one thing, and it’s a comforting thought – when the Spartans do get back on the field they’ll have senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons. That, alone, is a heck of a place to start.
Source: Detroit News
Antjuan Simmons grew up in the shadow of Michigan Stadium. Almost literally. The Michigan State junior linebacker could walk out the doors of Ann Arbor Pioneer High every day and look across South Main Street and see the Big House. He would be in class and hear about the Michigan Wolverines. From his peers, from his teachers, from almost everyone in town. “It’s interesting,” he said Tuesday. “I think Ann Arbor as a whole is like 95% Michigan fans. And everybody else is a fan of some other team.”
Source: Detroit Free Press
Michigan State has multiple options for replacing Bachie but none who have played a lot at the position because he rarely came off the field and the Spartans have not posted many lopsided wins during his tenure. Redshirt sophomore Noah Harvey was listed as Bachie’s backup on the latest depth chart but has not played extensively.
Source: mlive.com
Simmons is five games into his first year as Michigan State’s starting weak-side linebacker and has been a standout so far. He ranks third on the team in tackles (33), to go with 1.5 sacks, an interception and two pass break-ups. Simmons has also used his speed to get into the backfield frequently and is tied for eighth in the nation in tackles for a loss with 7.5.
Source: mlive.com