Tharold Simon, CB, LSU Tigers: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Oct 20, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tharold Simon (24) in action against the Texas A

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 202 pounds

Drafted By: Seattle Seahawks (5th round, 138th overall)

40 Yard Dash: 4.51

Bench Press: 9

Vertical Jump: 34″

Broad Jump: 128″

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights (via LSU athletics site)

Exceptional cover corner with great size and quickness ranked among the best in the SEC … Takes over for the departed Morris Claiborne as the full-time starter at corner with Tyrann Mathieu … Blossomed as a freshman and was solid as LSU’s No. 3 cornerback in nickel and dime packages as a sophomore in 2011 … Earned two starts as a sophomore and has played in 21 career games, recording 51 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions and one forced fumble … Was outstanding during 2012 spring drills and a recipient of the “Most Improved” award.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2011)
One of the SEC’s top cover corners, who played in 13 games with two starts … Saw plenty of action during LSU’s nickel and dime situations … Ranked third in the SEC in pass breakups with 10 and was one of only four players in the SEC to register double-digits in that category … Led LSU with 12 passes defended and finished sixth in the SEC in that category … Picked off two passes on the year … Added 42 tackles, including 30 that were solo, to go along with 2.5 tackles for a loss of five yards … Picked off his second pass of the season in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia and also posted a PBU … The acrobatic pick set up an LSU touchdown in the third quarter and gave the Tigers a commanding lead … Earned three tackles, one PBU and one forced fumble against Arkansas … Missed the Auburn game for a violation of team rules … Posted two PBUs at Tennessee … Tallied two PBUs and half a tackle for a loss against Kentucky … Recorded six solo stops, one TFL and one PBU at West Virginia … Tied his career best with eight tackles at Mississippi State … Had a stellar opener against Oregon as he racked up a career-high eight tackles, one TFL, one interception and three PBUs.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2010)
Saw action in eight games with no starts … Tallied nine total tackles, including three solo, during the season … Showed off his cover skills in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M with a pair of pass breakups and his first career interception … Recorded his first pass breakup when he swatted a pass away from Julio Jones of Alabama early in the third quarter to halt a Crimson Tide drive … Registered a season-high three tackles against Louisiana-Monroe.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Simon is a prospect who I believe has a ton of upside. You look at his measurables as well as his junior season, and you could have a potential day two or three steal on your hands here. He comes in at 6’2″ 202 pounds with a 4.51 40 yard dash, which is outstanding and validates his junior year where he had four interceptions and 45 tackles to go along with nine broken up passes. The Tigers dearly missed Tyrann Mathieu when all was said and done, but Simon was an underrated performer for them. With his size, he’s more than capable of playing press man coverage in the NFL and getting guys off their routes at the point. He has good length for a defensive back, but can sometimes be beaten easily by quickness. He has good length, but with only nine reps on the bench press, it’s fair to question his upper body strength, even though he is bulky for a corner. I think he is a bit of a project, but he is coming from a very highly regarded program with good measurables and production,

Video Highlights (via YouTube)