Ohio State Football: 3 player matchups that will decide 2019 Fiesta Bowl
By Will Koger
3. Justin Fields vs. Isaiah Simmons
For as much talent as Clemson has on offense, Isaiah Simmons may well be the Tigers’ best player. A projected top-10 pick in next spring’s NFL draft, Simmons is an extremely versatile linebacker. Simmons took home the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker and was also named a unanimous first-team All-American.
Carter Donnick of The Draft Network called Simmons “The freakiest athlete in college football”, a title a certain Ohio State player might dispute. Nonetheless, Simmons certainly is a freak, as, according to Donnick, he ran step for step with Clemson running back Travis Etienne in a 40-yard dash and has a shot to run a sub-4.45 forty-yard dash at the weight of 235 pounds. Crabbs, also of The Draft Network, says of Simmons: “His size, length, and explosiveness come in quite useful as he influences both the ground game and as a pass defender.”
Simmons is both the best and the most important defender in the Clemson’s hope to neutralize sophomore Buckeye quarterback Justin Fields. He may average a mere 3.8 yards per carry, but don’t be fooled because that includes sack yardage. He has a knack for picking up a clutch third-down conversion with his feet if coverage downfield is good, and he is a weapon in the red zone with 10 rushing touchdowns.
A developing story is the status of Fields’ left knee. Fields sprained his MCL against Penn State and aggravated the injury the next week at Michigan. Fields said Tuesday: “I just can’t move like I want to” and that his knee had not fully healed like he had hoped it would.
In addition to blitzing off the edge and covering running back JK Dobbins and tight ends Luke Farrell and Jeremy Ruckert, Venables may sometimes opt to use Simmons to spy Fields. Simmons certainly possesses the speed and instincts to chase down Fields and force him to beat Clemson with his throwing arm.
As for Fields, he must know where Simmons is every snap and can identify whether he might blitz or drop into coverage. Fans watching the game should also keep track of Simmons as he can make huge plays for Venables’ defense.