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In honor of Al Davis: The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine all-freak defense

By Evan Groat

Los Angeles Raiders managing general partner Al Davis encourages his team before their 38-9 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium. (Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Raiders managing general partner Al Davis encourages his team before their 38-9 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium. (Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, Jr

  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 238
  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.39 (1st)
  • Vertical Jump: 39.0 (4th)
  • Broad Jump: 132.0 (2nd)

When you look up the word freak in the dictionary you might find a picture of Isaiah Simmons.  Simmons forty time was the talk of the combine and had social media outlets lit, and at the next level, he figures to be a guy who can help a team revamp their defense immediately.

Simmons has many unique qualities that make him a rare bread.  In addition to his combination of size and speed he is a position less player.  And I say that as a positive, he lined up all over the field for the Clemson defense, including snaps at linebacker, off the edge, in the slot, and at safety.

In comparison, Simmons ran a faster forty than Saquan Barkely, Zeke Elliott, and Christian McCaffery, who just happen to be some of the best RUNNING BACKS in the NFL. If he makes it out of the top-5 I would be shocked.

Willie Gay Jr, Mississippi St, Jr

  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 243
  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 (2nd)
  • Bench Press: 21 (7th)
  • Vertical Jump: 39.5 (2nd)
  • Broad Jump: 136.0 (1st)
  • 3-Cone: 7.08 (11th)
  • 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.30 (9th)

Five top ten finishes in six tests is a great showing for Willie Gay Jr, who weighed in at a solid 243 pounds. Of all the linebackers in this combine, he may be the one who helped his stock the most, and should be a Day 2 pick when all is said and done.

Gay Jr, comes with some character concerns, his junior season he was held out of eight games due to an NCAA rules violation and late in the season there were reports that he was involved in an altercation with a teammate. Still, you cannot teach this kind of athleticism, and his combination of size, speed, and strength are going to play large at the NFL level.

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