Joshua Simmons – Cornerback/Safety – Senior – Limestone College
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Joshua Simmons: My height is 5’11 ½ and 190 pounds. I was light. I have never been at 190 in a while. I was at 197 or 198 during the season.
Alex Khvatov: Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?
Joshua Simmons: I am going back to Florida on January 2nd. I will be at Fit Speed in Weston, FL. I will also train at All Eyes DB camp in Weston.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the 2018 FCS Bowl.
Joshua Simmons: It was a great experience. The main question for me was whether I can matchup against WR’s from the bigger schools. I knew I could play. They questioned my level of competition. I think that I erased that question. It was a great experience at the game. It was great competition. I played CB during the game. I will train at CB, nickel and safety.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that all-star game?
Joshua Simmons: I saw a different side of it. It was all about football. I saw the lifestyle that I would be living. It was good to be around that environment. I talked to scouts. On friday night, I didn’t get to my room until 10:30 at night because of meetings.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you faced during the FCS Bowl?
Joshua Simmons: #22 WR (Richard Johnson from East Texas Baptist) for the blue team.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Joshua Simmons: No one showed interest. I was one of the top senior prospects in South Carolina. I had no offers and all-star games. All of my film, I was doing myself. Limestone showed interest, and I earned a scholarship the first year.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Joshua Simmons: I got a lot of instincts. I have been playing for a long time. I know what it’s coming most of the time. I have good football IQ. I read splits and pick up on tendencies. Also my ball skills, I had 15 INT’s during my career.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Joshua Simmons: I need to learn to keep my feet in the box. I tend to get wide with my feet and need to clean up coming out of my breaks. I also have to work on my eyes sometimes, I tend to peek in man coverage.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career to us.
Joshua Simmons: Freshman year, I had a big chip on my shoulder. I could have been and should have been at the D-I level. I wanted to start right away. I went there as a safety and played there for a week. The team liked my broad and vertical. They moved me to corner. I have never played corner before. I had to get used to playing corner in camp. I got the starting job. I was nervous my first game. I didn’t want to get beat deep. I was playing against Wingate my first game. They tested me on the first play on a slant. I just broke up the play on the best WR Jordan Berry from Wingate. I realized that I can play with these guys. I had five picks my freshman year. I earned freshman All-American. During my sophomore year, I was looking to have a big year. I didn’t have a big year. I was pressing. I had only one pick and a lot of pass break ups. I didn’t see much action that year. They didn’t throw my way. During my junior year, I had a really big year. I had eight picks. I was an All-American my junior season. During my senior year, I broke my foot the second game of the season. I hung it up and redshirted. During my redshirt senior year, I came back in the spring. I spent the fall camp at corner where I have been most of my career. Then they moved me to safety. I played safety in high school. I had a pretty solid year. I had two picks, but should have had more. 95 tackles at SS and eight PBU’s. I was an All-American as a senior and an All-Conference player in 2018.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Joshua Simmons: Being the team captain the past three years. My team looks up to me, they see me as a leader. I do the right things on and off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Joshua Simmons: The highlight of my career was during my sophomore year. It was a slow year for me. They didn’t throw much at me. Kentucky Wesleyan was up by five points, they were driving on us. They were on our 20-yard line. It was cover 2, and a smash route concept. The #1 WR ran a hitch, and the #2 WR ran a corner route. I intercepted the ball with 30 seconds left in the game. It was my biggest play and proudest moment.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Joshua Simmons: Use my natural God given ability along with coaching. Use my voice. I am a leader, but I lead by example. I need to be more vocal.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Joshua Simmons: Home team, the Carolina Panthers. They are not my team, but they are the closest.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Joshua Simmons: I have a long list right now. Jamal Adams, DeShon Elliott, Tyrann Mathieu and Swearinger. Odell – plays with so much emotion.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a CB?
Joshua Simmons: Technique or physicality. The slowest corner can lock up a WR with 4.3 speed, if their technique is perfect.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from an offense?
Joshua Simmons: Before the snap, I get in tune with the game. I know what is expected and what is to come next. It is all about tempo. Receivers splits give a lot of their routes away. Look at the linemen, they give away whether it is run or pass. If we are blitzing, I like to press.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on next season?
Joshua Simmons: Shyheim Perry at WR, DJ Witherspoon at CB, Mannie Ogletree at safety, Dajon Robinson at safety and DJ Phillips at QB. All guys that can make plays.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Joshua Simmons: Either my own teammate, Vyncint Smith or Keelan Cole from Kentucky Wesleyan. He plays for the Jaguars now. Their routes are very crisp.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Joshua Simmons: Everything. When everything is clicking and flowing, it is the best feeling.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your biggest role model and why?
Joshua Simmons: My dad and my mom. They have sacrificed a lot for me. Time and money. They sacrificed everything for me. I always go hard and give it my all.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Joshua Simmons: I like to hunt and go fishing. I also like to ride a four-wheeler.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football
career is over?
Joshua Simmons: After football, I want to cook. I want to open up a seafood restaurant.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Joshua Simmons: A leader who attempts to always do the right thing on and off the field. Someone who shows by their actions. Someone who sets an example for everyone else.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Joshua Simmons: Humble, aggressive, instinctive, physical and a leader.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?
Joshua Simmons: Alabama. I will go with the Tide. Don’t count out Saban.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?
Joshua Simmons: I want to see the Texans, they have it going. Go with my boy Vyncint Smith.
