Former Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons was selected by the Kansas City in the first round of the NFL draft on April 24. The Chiefs took him with the No. 32 overall pick, the last of the first round. Simmons is the fourth Buckeye to go in the draft, following wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. The San Diego State transfer played in only five full games for the
Buckeyes in 2024. He tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in Ohio State’s game at Oregon on Oct. 12. Simmons had surgery and left school to begin his rehab. But he showed so much improvement from an inconsistent 2023 season that he was the first Ohio State player from its national championship team to be drafted. He is blessed with nimble feet and rare athleticism for a player his size, but he said his improvement came because of his increased diligence in preparation.
Josh Simmons highlights
Simmons probably improved the most of any Buckeye in 2024 before his season was cut short. He became so dominant that other OSU linemen said that they never had to worry about helping to him to protect Will Howard’s blind side. He and the OSU offensive line continually improved early in the season. Perhaps the highlight was running for 203 yards against a stout Iowa defense in a 35-7 win the week before Simmons got hurt.
Josh Simmons stats
According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons did not allow a sack or quarterback hit in his six games and allowed only one hurry. His pass blocking grade was a stellar 82.0. He also committed only one penalty in 2024, which is noteworthy because in 2022 as a right tackle at San Diego State, Simmons was flagged 17 times, most by any linemen in the country.
Josh Simmons height, weight
At the NFL combine, Simmons measured Ohio State’s pro day in March, he measured 6-5 and 317 pounds.
Josh Simmons combine results
Because he was still rehabbing, Simmons did not do drills at the NFL combine. At Ohio State’s pro day March 26, he had 34 reps in the bench press, which was second on the team behind Ty Hamilton’s 35. That was the only drill Simmons did on pro day.
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at or on bluesky at [email protected].
