Jasper Simmons Scouting Report

Jasper Simmons came out of the junior college ranks and immediately made a huge impact on the Missouri defense. After spending two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, it was expected that it would take a little time for Simmons to become a dominating free safety in the Big 12. He did not join the Tigers until the summer of 2009, but after the first game of the season Simmons found himself in the starting lineup at free safety. Simmons even earned the starting job as a kickoff returner. Yet, it was in the secondary where Simmons made the biggest impact. He ranked fourth on the team with 73 tackles and forced two fumbles and picked off a pass.

The success during his first season in Columbia, Missouri gave everybody high hopes for Simmons in 2010. However, Simmons suffered an injury in the season opener against Illinois and missed the next three games. Later he was suspended for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. In the end, Simmons only started two games and saw action in just six. Despite playing in only half of the regular season games, Simmons was still very productive and ended up seventh on the team with 43 tackles.

Simmons is a big hitter and, at 6-1 and 205 pounds, has the size to be a free safety at the next level. He has good instincts and plays smart football, but his lack of production during his senior season has significantly dropped his stock. He will need to have some solid workouts to work his way back into the late rounds.