Michigan State football offers 2024 DL Tyler Simmons

A Florida defensive lineman has picked up an offer from Michigan State

Michigan State has expanded its defensive line board once again, this time offering Tyler Simmons. Simmons is a native of Windermere, Florida, attending Windermere Prep High School. He is a 3-star prospect according to 247Sports.

Simmons has received additional power five offers from Indiana, Kansas, Miami, NC State, South Carolina, Stanford, Virginia and Northwestern, whom he has already taken an official visit to.

Look for MSU to get Simmons on campus for a visit soon.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

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Former Georgia WR scores NFL’s second touchdown of preseason

Former Georgia Bulldogs standout wide receiver Tyler Simmons signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after Georgia’s pro day.

Former Georgia Bulldogs standout wide receiver Tyler Simmons scored the NFL’s second touchdown of the preseason. Simmons’ score gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a 15-3 lead over the Dallas Cowboys.

Tyler Simmons earned another NFL opportunity this offseason following Georgia’s pro day. Simmons is competing for an NFL roster spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers this NFL season. His preseason touchdown will certainly help his cause.

Simmons, who had a brief stint last year on the Houston Texans’ practice squad, benefited from Georgia’s pro day. Kirby Smart invited a few former Georgia Bulldogs to compete in the event and boost their exposure in front of NFL scouts.

The list of those attending UGA’s pro day included Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Following Georgia’s pro day, Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert offered Simmons a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2021.

Simmons is effective as a wide receiver or as a special teams player, and he can carry the ball occasionally. Simmons’ versatile skills and athletic profile helped him turn some heads at Georgia’s pro day and ultimately get another opportunity in the NFL.

Smart did the right thing to invite Simmons and David Marshall to Georgia’s pro day. Simmons will have to work to make the Steelers’ opening day roster, but he could turn his time with Pittsburgh into another offer elsewhere.

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Here’s everything we know about Steelers newest WR Tyler Simmons

Former Georgia utility player, Tyler Simmons, joined the Steelers receiving corp this week.

Tyler Simmons is living proof that you should never give up, no matter how difficult the journey. A former wide receiver at the University of Georgia, Simmons was part of the 2020 NFL draft class — the class that teams didn’t have access to in-person. Simmons went undrafted and spent the season on the Houston Texans practice squad.

The Steelers, namely general manager Kevin Colbert, was on site for Georgia’s Pro Day last week. Simmons was also on-site — Georgia allowed Simmons to return and participate since last year later-round rookies didn’t have the opportunity.

Colbert liked enough of what he saw to offer the street free agent a deal right on the spot. Pittsburgh signed Simmons to a one-year, $660,000 contract on Monday.

In watching Simmons’ tape, Steelers Wire Curt Popejoy wrote that the 6-foot-0 receiver gets better speed and agility than his body type might indicate, and he’s very physical. Curt also noted that Simmons is a willing blocker which would mesh well with the Steelers scheme (the Steelers need all the willing blockers they can get if they intend to up their run game).

At Georgia, Simmons appeared in 48 games (18 starts), including six as a true freshman receiver and special-teamer. He started 12 of 14 games in his final collegiate season and caught 21 passes for 255 yards. Simmons also contributed as a runner and punt returner in 2019.

Time will tell his destiny. Pittsburgh’s wide receiver stable is deep, so it’ll be difficult for a new guy to make the 53-man roster. But given his gumption, attitude, and, of course, talent Simmons could land himself a practice squad spot.

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Former UGA WR earns NFL opportunity after pro day

Former Georgia Bulldogs standout wide receiver Tyler Simmons has earned another NFL opportunity following Georgia’s pro day.

Former Georgia Bulldogs standout wide receiver Tyler Simmons has earned another NFL opportunity following Georgia’s pro day. Simmons will have a chance to compete for an NFL roster spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers this NFL season.

Simmons, who had a brief stint last year on the Houston Texans’ practice squad, benefited from Georgia’s pro day. Kirby Smart invited a few former Georgia Bulldogs to compete in the event and boost their exposure in front of NFL scouts.

The list of those attending UGA’s pro day included Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Following Georgia’s pro day, Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert offered Simmons a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2021.

Simmons is effective as a wide receiver, special teams player, and can carry the ball occasionally. Simmons’ versatile skills and athletic profile helped him turn some heads at Georgia’s pro day and ultimately get another opportunity in the NFL.

Smart did the right thing to invite Simmons and David Marshall to Georgia’s pro day. While Simmons may not make the Steelers’ opening day roster, he could turn his time in Pittsburgh into another offer elsewhere.

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Houston Texans sign WR Tyler Simmons to practice squad

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia football WR Tyler Simmons to their 2020 practice squad.

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons to their 2020 practice squad, following the leagues 53-man roster cuts on Saturday.

The Powder Springs, GA native played in 48 games during his four years in Athens, catching 35 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns.  Simmons also rushed for 220 yards on 17 carries, adding another two rushing touchdowns.

Simmons was the 2019 co-winner of the Kevin Butler Special Teams MVP, awarded at Georgia’s post-season awards gala.  He played in all 14 games his senior year, finishing the season with 21 catches for 255 yards, 12 rushes for 89 yards and nine punt returns for 143 yards.

Simmons was not selected in the 2020 NFL Draft but was signed as an undrafted free agent by Houston in late April.  Simmons didn’t make the Texans 53-man roster on Saturday and was waived but then signed to the team’s practice squad a day later.

How can WR Tyler Simmons make the Texans’ final roster?

Undrafted free agent receiver Tyler Simmons has a tough road making the Houston Texans’ final roster, but Brandin Cooks has some advice.

Former Georgia Bulldogs receiver Tyler Simmons has a challenging time making the Houston Texans’ final roster.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no offseason program for the undrafted free agent to be a part of, and the NFL scrapped the entire preseason in a concession to get the NFLPA onboard with the 2020 season.

For Simmons, that meant all of his chances to impress receivers coach John Perry and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly were gone. Simmons is already fighting a bias that coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has about 2020 being a harder year for rookies and younger players to get up to speed.

Brandin Cooks has advice for undrafted free agents such as Simmons.

“I think the biggest thing is telling young guys right now to follow around a vet,” Cooks told reporters on Aug. 6. “Typically, during this time you have a lot more freedom around the facility — whether it’s taking care of your body. I think it’s important for them to understand that picking a vet that you trust and following them when it comes to a routine so you can be around and be healthy.”

Cooks pointed out that Texans players don’t have as much liberty outside of team facilities due to the impacts of the pandemic. All there is left to do is stay at home and study the playbook.

“We don’t have too much things to do outside of here anyways, so the best thing you can do is focus on studying and showing the coaches that you know what you’re doing so when we do go out there full speed, we’re not missing a beat,” Cooks said.

Simmons is going against fifth-round rookie Isaiah Coulter as well as practice-squadders Isaac Whitney and Steven Mitchell. Chad Hansen, a veteran who has worked out in the offseason with Deshaun Watson, also hopes to make the final roster when the regular season begins.

Former Georgia WR Tyler Simmons’ new number on Houston Texans

Former Georgia football WR Tyler Simmons received his new number from the Houston Texans this week.

Former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons did not get picked in the 2020 NFL Draft, but shortly signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Houston Texans.

At Georgia, Simmons wore #87.

The Texans announced on Twitter that Simmons will be wearing #86 in Houston.

Speed kills, and Simmons has plenty of it.

A former three-star recruit out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, Simmons never really got much of an opportunity to shine in the Bulldogs’ offense.

Georgia did get creative with him, though, as he scored two career touchdowns on the ground via jet sweeps.

In all, Simmons recorded 658 total yards and five touchdowns as a Bulldog.

Oh, and he was onside.

 

Georgia football UDFA tracker: Who’s signed? Who’s available?

A look at which Georgia football players have signed undrafted free agent deals following the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs had seven players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

#4 OT Andrew Thomas to the Giants

#29 OT Isaiah Wilson to the Titans

#35 RB D’Andre Swift to the Lions

#111 OG Solomon Kindley to the Dolphins

#167 QB Jake Fromm to the Bills

#190 TE Charlie Woerner to the 49ers

#255 (very last pick) LB Tae Crowder to the Giants

It took until the very last pick of the NFL Draft for a Georgia defender to get taken — surprising considering UGA’s 2019 defense ranked first in America.

But plenty of Georgia Bulldogs did not hear their name called during the draft.

I would have bet you that safety JR Reed, kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Tyler Clark and wide receiver Lawrence Cager would have went.

But in the end, they did not.

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A majority of the undrafted Dawgs have signed undrafted free agent deals.

Here is who they have signed with as undrafted free agents:

K Rodrigo Blankenship: Colts

WR Lawrence Cager: Jets

WR Tyler Simmons: Texans

RB Brian Herrien: Browns

S JR Reed: Jaguars

TE Eli Wolf: Ravens

Georgia players remaining include:

DL Tyler Clark

DL Michael Barnett

DL David Marshall

DL Justin Young

DB Tyrique McGhee

Georgia WR Tyler Simmons signs UDFA deal with Houston Texans

Georgia football WR Tyler Simmons has signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.

Former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons, who did not get picked in the NFL Draft, has found a new home.

Simmons is going to the Houston Texans in hopes of earning a roster spot.

Speed kills, and Simmons has plenty of it.

A former three star recruit out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, Simmons never really got much of an opportunity to shine in the Bulldogs’ offense.

Georgia did get creative with him, though, as he scored two career touchdowns on the ground via jet sweeps.

In all, Simmons recorded 658 total yards and five touchdowns as a Bulldog.

Oh, and he was onside.

Georgia and the NFL Draft: Who’s taken? Who’s available?

Looking at which Georgia football players have been taken in the 2020 NFL Draft and who is still available.

With the third round complete, Georgia has had three players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Bulldogs had a pair of offensive tackles taken in the first round. Andrew Thomas went #4 to the New York Giants and Isaiah Wilson was selected at #29 by the Tennessee Titans.

Running back D’Andre Swift surprisingly fell out of the first round but was quickly drafted at the start of the second, going #35 overall to the Detroit Lions.

Then we waited, and we kept waiting. But quarterback Jake Fromm and offensive guard Solomon Kindley, both players who could have potentially been taken on Friday, remained undrafted.

So now we look ahead to rounds 4-7, which will take place on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.

Here’s a look at which Georgia players are still on the board:

QB Jake Fromm:

We thought Fromm may have gone on Friday night. Hopefully the accomplished Georgia signal caller hears his name called shortly. The Patriots continued to tease us, but never did pull the trigger in the third round.

OG Solomon Kindley:

It’s been hard to get a read on where and when Kindley may be taken. When healthy, he’s about as good as it gets.

S JR Reed:

Where’s the love for Reed? He has some of the best instincts I’ve seen from a collegiate defensive back, does not miss tackles and has a nose for the football.

K Rodrigo Blankenship:

If a team does take a kicker, which I suspect one will, it has to be Hot Rod.

WR Lawrence Cager:

If it were not for his injuries he suffered in 2019, I think Cager would be viewed as a third round guy. All he did was make big plays when healthy.

DL Tyler Clark:

He started 35 games between 2017-2019 and was a leader on the defensive line. A key player on college football’s best defense, Clark plays hard and physical.


Projected undrafted free agents:


RB Brian Herrien:

He likely will not be drafted, but whatever team signs him as an undrafted free agent is going to get one of the hardest workers in this class.

ILB Tae Crowder:

Another guy who likely will not be drafted, but Crowder, a former running back, plays nasty.

DL Michael Barnett

6-foot-4, 304 pounds. Barnett played against the toughest competition at a high level for five years.

DE David Marshall

He’s started plenty of games in the SEC. His lone tackle at Auburn was a big one — a fourth-down stop for a loss of 13 yards.

WR Tyler Simmons

Speed kills, and Simmons has it. He has a long ways to go, but he made some big plays during his time at Georgia. Oh, and he was onside.

TE Charlie Woerner

Woerner made some big time plays during his four years at Georgia. He had three catches vs Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.

DE Justin Young

He plays scrappy and physical. He was also a leader on the best defense in America.

TE Eli Wolf

Remember this?