Venables: "(Simmons) can decide how good he wants to be" with video

Clemson Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is poised to have a breakout 2019 season, and hopes to parlay his success on the field into a lucrative NFL contract in the 2020 NFL Draft.

CLEMSON– Clemson Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is poised to have a breakout 2019 season, and hopes to parlay his success on the field into a lucrative NFL contract in the 2020 NFL Draft.

But before the projected first-round pick and All-American candidate can focus on the NFL there is work to be done for his current team—the Clemson Tigers.

“He had a really good strong finish. I want more,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “Isaiah knows that. I want more. I want him to be a dominant player, so everything that goes along with that – you’ve got to bring it and you’ve got to bring it every day. Every day. Not most of the time – every day. So, when he does that, he can decide on how great he wants to be.”

Through the first two weeks of fall camp, the message from Venables appears to have been received by Simmons.

Simmons was recently named the best linebacker in college football by USA Today, "Simmons can do it all: rush the passer, run in coverage, stop the run and make splash plays — not to mention shine on special teams, an added bonus from a player destined for every preseason All-America team. He arrived on campus as a safety and has transitioned into a hybrid role that takes full advantage of one of college football's most impressive talents." 

The Athletic defender who transitioned from safety in 2017 to the starting nickel/sam linebacker position in 2018 enters 2019 credited with 146 career tackles (12.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception (which he returned 27 yards for a touchdown) in 29 career games (14 starts). 

He was also selected as a Preseason All-American for 2019 by Phil Steele (first-team) and Athlon (second-team).

But all of those accolades do not mean anything for Simmons, who is just focused on being the best version of himself he can be.

"I had a big emphasis focusing on the little things, like the small things within zone coverages," Simmons said. "I've also been working really hard on learning what everybody else does just to make myself better."

One of the biggest challenges for Simmons and the rest of the defense this season comes from having a completely new defensive line.

Gone on the familiar names of Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant. Meaning that unfamiliar names of Jordan Williams, Nyles Pinckney, Xavier Thomas, Xavier Kelly, K.J. Henry and Justin Foster—among others— will be called upon to fill the void left.

Even though the majority of the media and the fanbase is worried about who will fill those very big shoes, Simmons is not focused on who is not with the Tigers. Instead, he is focused on making the 2019 defense the best they can be.

"I think the biggest issue is everyone expects to look out there and see the four guys from last year, but they're completely new people," Simmons said. "I'm not really thinking about how Jordan Williams is going to be Christian, or how Nyles Pinckney is going to be Dexter. I'm just thinking about what their strengths are and how we can build our defense around them."