April 22, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University linebacker Shane Simmons has attracted the attention of a number of National Football League teams and could become just the second player in school history and the first in 30 years to be selected in the NFL draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The last Viking chosen was defensive end Dave Weedman, a 12th round pick in 1968 by the Washington Redskins. Weedman saw action during the preseason, but did not play in a NFL regular-season game.

The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Simmons is hoping to become just the third Western player to compete for an NFL team during the regular season. The other two are Michael Koenen, a punter and placekicker the last three years for the Atlanta Falcons, and safety Erik Totten, who played in two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002.

Simmons, who is projected as a late-round pick or a priority free agent, would be the first WWU draftee since the NFL went to a seven-round format in 1994. The Kentlake High School graduate completed his collegiate eligibility last fall and is expected to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in recreation.

In 2007, Simmons led the North Central Conference (12.5 avg.) and ranked fourth nationally among NCAA Division II schools in total tackles, and was ninth nationally in solo tackles (6.3 avg.). He had double-figure stops in nine of 10 games. That included a career-high 18 versus Minnesota Duluth when he was named co-NCC Defensive Player of the Week.

In Western's 18-15 win over St. Cloud State, Simmons forced a fumble in the final seconds after the Huskies drove inside the WWU 25-yard line. He also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA Division I-FCS UC Davis in their season opener.

A preseason D2Football.com second-team All-American, Simmons also was listed as one of the website's 15 Pro Hopefuls. The site stated, "Simmons is a high character kid with the work ethic and passion scouts look for in a player. He can play both inside and outside linebacker and adds value by being able to play all special teams."

As a junior, Simmons was the national leader in solo tackles (9.8 avg. per game) and topped the NCC in total tackles (11.2 avg.) through the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury. He earned NCC POW honors that season for his performance in Western's 16-13 upset of No.15 Washburn, being credited with 11 tackles and forcing a fumble that led to the winning field goal with 2.7 seconds left.

Simmons was a first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star as a sophomore for the Vikings after seeing action as a true freshman at Division I-BCS Idaho.

Waiting to be drafted

by Harte Onewein, The Western Front

With his collegiate football career in the rearview mirror, Western senior linebacker Shane Simmons is on the brink of tackling a new challenge -- the NFL.

"This is definitely surreal," Simmons said. "But at the same time, it's something I've been thinking about since I started playing the game."

The middle linebacker has a good chance of being picked in the sixth or seventh round of the NFL draft, which will be held April 26-27 and televised on ESPN, Western head football coach Robin Ross said.

Simmons said he will try to avoid the TV by watching Western's second intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, April 26 at Civic Stadium, walking the dog, cleaning the yard and washing cars at his parents house in Kent, Wash.

"I'm gonna try to stay as far away from the TV as I can," Simmons said. "You know, just try to keep my mind off the draft."

Ross said Simmons possesses the speed, athletic ability, versatility and determination that could help him become a successful professional athlete.

Simmons had 125 tackles last season and ranked fourth nationally in total tackles for Division II players.

On March 13, Simmons participated in a Pro Day workout at the turf field next to the Wade King Student Recreation Center.

With scouts from the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks watching, Simmons ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash and was measured at 33-1/2 in the vertical jump and 9-10 in the broad jump.

"Shane was the best guy on the field every game we played," offensive coordinator Kefense Hynson said. "And we played some good teams."

Ross said Simmons' ability to play on special teams in addition to defense could increase his value to NFL teams.

He said teams appreciate versatile players because it is helpful when dealing with limited roster space.

Aside from his on-field prowess, Ross said Simmons has worked hard, focused and stayed out of trouble.

"One thing that's important, and a lot of teams have mentioned to me, is that he's such a high-character person," Ross said.

NFL teams not only look for the best athletes but also want players who are good role models when they aren't playing football because off-field issues can affect the league's image and attendance, he said.

During the 2007 season, NFL scouts came to Bellingham to watch Simmons practice, watch videotape of him playing and get to know the 6-foot-1-inch, 230 pound linebacker, Ross said.

Simmons was in San Francisco April 8 for a physical and spent the day visiting with coaches and players from the San Francisco 49ers.

After meeting with the 49ers, Simmons flew north to meet with the Seattle Seahawks.

The team invited Simmons to their training facility April 9-10 in Kirkland, Wash., for a meet-and-greet where he met Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Ross said many teams have Simmons on their draft board, but that doesn't guarantee he will be drafted.

If Simmons does not have his name called Saturday or Sunday, he could be offered a free agent contract by a team in need of a linebacker.

A free agent contract can often be better than getting drafted in the late rounds because the player may be offered a more lucrative contract if more than one team wants his services.

The player can also have the opportunity to choose a team that provides him the best pathway to a starting job, he said.

"Obviously it would be really cool to hear my name on draft day, but if that doesn't work out, I'd be completely fine with getting picked up as a free agent," Simmons said. "Any opportunity I can get to be on an NFL team and to show them what I can do is all I can ask for."

Simmons was selected as a first-team all-North Central Conference linebacker and played in the 2008 Valero Cactus Bowl, the Division II all-star game in Kingsville, Texas.

Hynson said each level of football presents new challenges, and although the jump from Western to the NFL is huge, Simmons has the skills to make it.

Simmons said he will have to adjust to the speed and size of the offensive line while getting used to the faster game pace.

"I'm not scared, but there are definitely jitters," Simmons said. "It's just crazy to think about getting the opportunity to play in the NFL. It's something I know I can do. I have the confidence in myself to play at that level."