John Simon, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Nov 17, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman John Simon (54) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 257 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: 4.62

Bench Press:

Vertical Jump: 34″

Broad Jump: 121″

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.42

Career Highlights (via Ohio State athletics site)

Ohio State Overview: John Simon was a leader on and off the field whose efforts were always exemplary … Simon was repeatedly referred to as the heart and soul of the 2012 team by Meyer, and he has the distinction of being only the eighth two-time captain in school history and the first since James Laurinaitis in 2008 and 2009 … he was twice named a semifinalist for the prestigious Lott IMPACT Award and in 2012 he was a finalist for the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Bobby Bowden Award … he capped his career by being named the Big Ten Conference’s 2012 Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year Award … he was also named the Big Ten’s 2012 Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year after leading the Big Ten in quarterback sacks (9.0 for minus-73 yards) and ranking second with 14.5 tackles-for-loss, totaling minus-87 yards … his sacks and TFLs each ranked among the Top 25 nationally … those numbers also boosted Simon to No. 7 all-time at Ohio State in both categories, with 20.5 sacks and 43.0 TFLs … he was named all-Big Ten by both the media and the coaches and a third-team Associated Press All-American as both a junior and a senior … in 2012 he was a second-team Walter Camp All-American and was voted as the Ohio State team MVP … a four-year Varsity O letterwinner, Simon played in 50 games and started 37 consecutive games before a knee injury sidelined him for the final game of his senior season, a 26-21 win over Michigan that completed a 12-0 regular season for the No. 4-ranked Buckeyes … during his senior season, Simon tied the school record with 5.0 tackles-for-loss (for minus-24 yards with two sacks and a forced fumble) against Nebraska and was named Big Ten player of the week and national defensive player of the week by the Bednarik, Lott IMPACT and National Performance organizations … he had four quarterback sacks (for minus-36 yards; fourth-most yards lost for a game at Ohio State) vs. Wisconsin … as a junior he had four TFLs against Illinois and he is now the only Buckeye to ever have a five-TFL game and a four-TFL game … Simon’s 87 TFL yards in 2012 rank ninth all-time at Ohio State and his career TFL yardage total of 195 yards ranks sixth all-time in school history … Simon was honored with Ohio State’s Bill Willis Award as the team’s outstanding defensive player as a junior after leading the Buckeyes with seven quarterback sacks and 16 tackles for loss (for minus-59 yards), figures that ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten Conference … he also accumulated 53 tackles and broke up three passes … he had a career-best 10 tackles in 2011 vs. Indiana … as a true sophomore in 2010 he played in and started all 13 games and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten … he returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown vs. Minnesota … Simon played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2009, recording 16 tackles on the season … coaches honored him with the 1st Year Defensive Player Award.

More on Simon: John, invited to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, is expected to graduate in spring 2013 with his degree in sports & leisure studies … he was a two-time all-state honoree for coach P.J. Fecko at Cardinal Mooney H.S. … state’s Division IV and NE Ohio’s defensive player of the year as a senior when he had 148 tackles, 13 TFLs, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles … helped Cardinal Mooney to three state title games and a regional semifinals appearance … played in the U.S. Army All-American game … member of the National Honor Society and a Cardinal Mooney Ambassador … is the son of Renee and John Simon.

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Simon is a guy that really stands out when you watch Ohio State play, if for no other reason than he is just almost inarguably giving the most effort of any player on the field at any given time. His work ethic on and off the field is, according to Urban Meyer, “Tebowish,” and on the field, he reaps the benefits. He’s not likely to fill up the stat sheet in terms of sacks like some of the top pass rushers will, but he makes plays behind the line of scrimmage and you certainly don’t want to be the guy who gets in his way when the ball is snapped. Last season, he had 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks along with 53 total tackles. He has played both end in the 3-4 and some dropping in coverage as a linebacker. When he goes to the NFL, he can play inside or outside and have upside in both areas, though he’s a little light for a defensive tackle. I really enjoy watching this guy play, and I think he has a bright future in the NFL as a second-fourth round selection.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)