From Clemson to NFL first-round pick to the Panthers, Simmons finds a ‘nice’ fit
Isaiah Simmons isn’t a “tweener” in Carolina. He’s a safety.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales made that positional setup clear on Tuesday. Despite the former Clemson star’s history as a hybrid linebacker, Canales told the media that Simmons is working exclusively with Panthers defensive backs coach Renaldo Hill behind the scenes.
While he’s only played one snap on defense in his four games with the organization, Simmons has been learning the scheme behind the scenes for a month as he’s been featured on special teams on game days. For the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the situation has taken the pressure away and given him the opportunity to learn at his own pace.
“It’s a little bit relieving,” Simmons told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday. “Every week, everybody is not looking at me, which I don’t mind that — I’d actually probably rather have it that way — but it’s nice.”
From versatile prospect to NFL nomad
Simmons, listed as 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, has always been stuck between two positional doorways.
He’s got linebacker size and length. But he’s also equipped with defensive back speed, having produced a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash time during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
Evaluators were enticed by that rare combination when Simmons was a prospect coming out of Clemson. The Arizona Cardinals selected him with their top pick and immediately put him at linebacker to take advantage of his uncanny physical traits.
“I never played traditional linebacker at Clemson to begin with,” Simmons said. “And that’s kind of what I was put into, like a traditional behind-the-ball linebacker, and I just feel that kind of like put me in a box. Also, a whole new box of learning as well.”
After three seasons of up-and-down output, Simmons was traded to the New York Giants for seventh-round pick in 2023.
Simmons became more of a sub-package player in New York. During his two seasons with the Giants, he started five of 34 games.
After failing to make the Green Bay Packers’ roster this summer, Simmons went into self-reflection mode. He put a spotlight on his game and worked to improve himself with the help of trainer Chad Wilson in South Florida.
“When I wasn’t on a team, a big focus of mine was to go back and do self-evaluation,” Simmons said. “And just find out what were some of my weaknesses or things that I could work on and whatnot. And I worked on everything down to film study — just seeing what routes I could get out of specific stems. Just bettering my football knowledge from college to now has helped me tremendously. Honestly, I think the big steps that I’ve been able to take in that, I haven’t been really able to showcase yet, because I feel like, when I really had control and really got to slow things down was when I got traded.”
The Moehrig Method
When he was signed by the Panthers in November, Simmons was given the opportunity to focus on special teams and safety. He appreciated the chance to focus on one position on defense.
“I love it, actually,” Simmons said. “I wish this is how it’s been my whole career to be honest. Because any time I’ve ever been playing multiple positions in a defense, it’s because I’m playing one position, but there’s calls within that give me different responsibilities as opposed to learning every single job at three different positions.”
Simmons, given his unique size-speed traits, has the chance to shine similarly to starting safety Tre’von Moehrig.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero likes to put three safeties on the field regularly. That setup allows him to deploy a “big” nickel look, where a safety plays the traditional slot corner position.
Moehrig has been a star in that package.
“I accidentally sat next to (Moehrig) — cause when I first got here, he was suspended — so, I accidentally ended up sitting next to him in the meeting room, so, it’s nice that I’m able to sit there and learn from a great player, like Tre,” Simmons said. “Obviously, I’ve known who he was since he was in Vegas, so hell of a player, and he makes it easy for me to learn. I can ask him anything — me and him have got a really good relationship. I appreciate him helping me out along the way.”
Carolina comfort zone
Simmons, who has become a fixture of the special teams unit during his short time in Carolina, believes he’s a strong fit for Evero’s scheme.
His winding road through the NFL has shown him what works for him.
“I feel like this is probably the one defense in the league that fits me best,” Simmons said. “Just with how (Evero) uses big nickel in his game. Also, how he uses his weak-side safeties. I’ve played the (deep safety) also, alongside (Cardinals All-Pro safety Budda Baker) as the down safety, when I was in Arizona. So, I feel like this scheme is very fitting for me. Just how he runs it — the dynamic of it.”
Simmons has found a comfort in his return to the Carolinas. But it’s not just about the on-field dynamics.
He’s also received a warm welcome back from the Clemson fan base.
“Clemson family, you know, we always run deep,” Simmons said. “They’ve been showing a lot of love. I’ve been getting some love out in Charlotte and places I go, so always gotta appreciate the Clemson fans — always.”
As the Panthers get ready for an all-important divisional showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Simmons is preparing to do his part on special teams. But if he’s called upon to work in the secondary, the 27-year-old defender is ready to show what he brings to the table.
While he signed a 1-year deal with Carolina, his work behind-the-scenes and on special teams could set him up for a longer stay in Charlotte.
Panthers’ final Week 18 injury report
The following statuses were handed out ahead of the Saturday clash with Tampa Bay:
Out: LB Claudin Cherelus (ankle/calf), CB Robert Rochell (concussion).
Questionable: LB Krys Barnes (back), G Robert Hunt (IR/biceps), WR David Moore (IR/elbow), DE Turk Wharton (hamstring).
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 10:36 AM.
