Potential Top-5 pick Isaiah Simmons of Clemson declares for NFL draft

Up until recently, just about everyone was convinced that Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons would enter the 2020 NFL draft.

Then doubt started to creep in after Friday’s deadline for underclassmen to declare came and went without a word from the star linebacker/safety.

And by Saturday afternoon, message boards were abuzz about the possibilities as Simmons remained silent.

“I’m still in the dark as to when Simmons’ decision will come, but I’ve been told to expect some sort of announcement in the near future,” Josh Needelman, who covers Clemson football for The Post and Courier, told Fanspeak in an email.

That “near future” is now a reality.

Simmons announced on social media Saturday night that he is leaving school early and has declared for the draft.

Take a chance, because you never know how perfect something can turn out pic.twitter.com/nG7AzrCHJt

— Isaiah Simmons (@isaiahsimmons25) January 18, 2020

The 6-foot-4, 230 pound Butkus Award winner is coming off another stellar season, finishing with 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. Simmons also chipped in eight passes defended and one fumble recovery.

For his career, the redshirt junior has 238 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and 4 INTs.

The only questions now are what position Simmons will play at the next level, safety or linebacker, and how high he’ll go in the draft.

Simmons is the No. 8 player in the latest Fanspeak-Steve big board.

The deadline to declare for the draft was Friday, although players have 72 hours to change their minds. The official list of underclassmen who declared for the draft will be sent to NFL teams on Tuesday.