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While Arizona State saw its secondary reinforced with the return of safety Xavion Alford, it also saw the departure of a key member as defensive back Shamari Simmons announced his intention to declare for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft in April.
There was a chance potentially that Simmons, a graduate student, could return next season with the recent new waiver from the NCAA Division I Board of Directors that granted an additional year of eligibility to former junior college transfers. Simmons attended and played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas from 2019-21.
But Simmons has decided it’s time to take the next step in his journey.
During his tenure with Arizona State, Simmons morphed into one of the best players for the Sun Devils. In a dismal 2023 season, the first under coach Kenny Dillingham, Simmons was one of the few bright spots. He finished as the team MVP that year, racking up 73 tackles, six pass breakups, one interception and one sack.
This season was even better as Simmons proved to be one of the top defenders not just for ASU, but in the country.
Entering the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Simmons was one of only 10 players in the country not credited with a TD allowed — despite playing the third-most slot coverage snaps in the country (357) among FBS slot defenders. Opponents have just a 76.7 NFL QBR (quarterback rating) when targeting Simmons, the 15th-lowest among FBS slot defenders.
Defensive back Shamari Simmons #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after intercepting a pass in the end zone and securing the win for the Sun Devils against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kansas.
Simmons played a key role in his final game in an ASU uniform. After missing the first half versus…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arizona-state-defensive-back-declares-014825850.html
Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2025-01-04 01:48:00
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