Jeffery Simmons

PRO: The Titans selected Jeffery Simmons with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After five NFL seasons, he has been named a team captain the last three years, selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2021, 2022) and is a two-time second team All-Pro honoree (2021, 2022). Since his rookie year in 2019, his 26.5 career sacks rank second on the Titans defense behind Harold Landry III (37). He was rewarded with a multi-year contract extension during the 2023 offseason. The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound defensive lineman provides a rare blend of size, power and quickness, making him a disruptive force in the middle of the defense.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2023, Simmons was named the Titans nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that recgonizes a player for outstanding community service, as well as excellence on the field. "To be in a position to be able to give back, it means a lot. I want to be a light in the community." Simmons finished the season with 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 12 games.
• In 2022, he earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors for the second consecutive campaign, anchoring a unit that ranked first in the NFL in rushing defense (76.9 opponent rushing yards per game). Simmons posted 7.5 sacks and 43 quarterback pressures and added a career-high seven passes defensed, which tied for the fourth-best mark among all NFL defensive linemen. Simmons and Arizona's J.J. Watt were the NFL's only players in 2022 with at least seven sacks and seven passes defensed.
• In 2021, Simmons was named a team captain for the first time in his career, and he went on to become one of six players on the roster to start all 17 games. He was named to his first career Pro Bowl and added Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors after setting career highs in several categories, including sacks (8.5), tackles (54), quarterback pressures (58), tackles for loss (12) and passes defensed (six). Among all defensive tackles in the NFL, his 8.5 sacks ranked sixth.
• Simmons was one of only five NFL players to produce at least 50 tackles, eight sacks and six passes defensed in 2021, joining Maxx Crosby, Cameron Jordan, Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt. Simmons and Heyward were the only interior defensive linemen in the league to accomplish the feat.
• In a divisional playoff game against Cincinnati on Jan. 22, 2022, he set a franchise postseason record with three sacks.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• In July 2023, Simmons paid homage to his hometown of Macon, Miss., with his first 'Community Fun Day,' which included local food vendors, games, inflatables and fireworks. He was then honored by city officials with a key to the city.
• In July 2022, the official ribbon cutting was held at the Jeffery B. Simmons Field House at Noxubee County High School in Macon, Miss. Simmons donated more than $50,000 to upgrade his former high school's athletic facilities. During the same week, he donated $75,000 to Starkville (Miss.) Parks and Recreation to be used for a new turf field at the Starkville Sportsplex. The field was also named in his honor.
• During college, Simmons was a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
• Simmons' brother, Dylan Bradley, played football at Southern Miss and then spent time with the Minnesota Vikings. His uncle, Jason Hatcher, played 10 total seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.
• Away from football, Simmons enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors.
• Simmons holds an annual youth football camp in Mississippi.
• During Week 12 of the 2023 campaign, Simmons was named the NFLPA Community MVP after providing turkeys to more than 500 Nashville families for the Thanksgiving holiday.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Macon, Miss., native was selected by the Titans in the first round (19th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:
• During a three-year career as a defensive tackle at Mississippi State, Simmons appeared in 38 contests with 28 starts. He finished his career ranked sixth in school history with 32.5 in tackles for loss. He also tied for sixth in MSU annals with five forced fumbles and tied for fourth with three blocked kicks. His totals also included 163 tackles, seven sacks, seven passes defensed and two defensive touchdowns. He was one of two players in the nation to be named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist in both 2017 and 2018.
• As a junior (2018), appeared in 13 games with 12 starts. Led the team and ranked fourth in the SEC with 17 tackles for loss, which made up the third-highest total in school history. Tied for second in the SEC among defensive linemen with 63 total tackles and added a pair of sacks, one forced fumble and four passes defensed. Collected two or more tackles for loss in six different games and had at least one in nine contests. Named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist and won the 2018 Conerly Trophy by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum as the top player in Mississippi. Also named second team All-American (AP, The Athletic) and first team All-SEC (AP, Coaches).
• As a sophomore (2017), started all 13 games and tallied 60 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one pass defensed. With three total blocked kicks and punts, became the first SEC player since 2004 to lead the nation in the category. Named first team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, PFF) and was a Bednarik Award Semifinalist. Added 2017 SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition.
• As a freshman (2016), played in 12 games with three starts at defensive tackle and finished with 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. Led all SEC freshman and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. Became the first MSU defensive lineman to earn Freshman All-SEC honors since Chris Jones in 2013. Named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
• Majored in human development at Mississippi State.

PERSONAL:
• Has a son, Jeffery Jr.
• Attended Noxubee County (Macon, Miss.) High School, where he was named the nation's No. 10 overall player and the No. 2 defensive end by Scout.com. Named a five-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com and a four-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com. Named the top-rated player in Mississippi by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com.
• As a high school senior in 2015, helped Noxubee County win its second straight MHSAA Class 4A State Championship with a 12-4 overall record. Finished second on the team with 105 tackles. Led the Tigers with 20.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three blocked field goals and two blocked punts. Also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, broke up five passes and recorded an interception.
• His mother is Brenda Bradley. He has one brother, Dylan, and two sisters, Brooke and Ashley.
• List of favorites: (movie) "The Blind Side"; (TV show) "Martin"; (song on your pregame playlist) "The Man" by Aloe Blacc; (meal) chicken alfredo; (dessert) Pecan Pie; and (sports team as a child) L.A. Lakers with Kobe Bryant.
• Follow Simmons on X at @grindsimmons94 and on Instagram at @jsimmons_94.
• Born Jeffery Bernard Simmons Jr. on July 28, 1997, in Lasalle, La.