Scouting Profile: Josh Simmons - OT - Ohio State
Sales Pitch: Excellent pass protecting lineman with experience at both tackle spots. Blend of high level movement skills and budding play strength gives him a legit shot at being OT1 in the class.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA Top-25 for 2024*
*Only played in 6 games in 2024*
Scouting Report
Josh Simmons is a former 4-Star recruit from the state of California. He originally started his career at San Diego State, where he played 13 games at right tackle before transferring to man the blind side for Ohio State in 2023 and 2024. A knee injury limited Simmons to only 6 starts in 2024, but in that time span he was one of the elite tackles in college football allowing 0 sacks and only 1 pressure.
Simmons is a fantastic athlete for the position with high level balance and body control to go with a dynamic first step. He is a tad undersized in terms of height and weight but possesses above average length to make up for it. Simmons is at his best as a run blocker on zone concepts where his quickness allows him to reach and seal defenders. He is adept at taking back leverage and flipping his hips at gain favorable position. His ability to move out in space makes him a weapon blocking at the 2nd level and in space. Simmons displays the power and hand strength to control and drive defenders when he attaches as a blocker. He plays with aggression when working downhill finishing his blocks through the whistle. The calling card of Simmons game is his ability in pass protection. His foot speed and body control allow him to mirror rushers on an island and recover laterally if he loses his initial set. Simmons uses his movement skills to vary his set points to catch rushers off guard, pairing them with quick accurate punches to control reps. He displays the strength and bend to take on power rushers and hold his ground as well.
Simmons has the tools to be an elite run blocker but still has technique issues to clean up to realize that potential. Too often does he operates with a narrow base when blocking space which leads to some whiffs. He will also attach his hands too wide on initial contact when blocking LBs in the second level and can fail to sustain blocks as a result. Simmons generally has a stout anchor but top end power rushers that are able to get under his pads are able to create knockback as he lacks elite strength due to his average weight.
Simmons profiles as a Day 1 starting tackle on either side of the formation. He best fits in a zone scheme where his quickness and movement skills can be utilized best. As long as his medicals check out he projects as a legit candidate to be the top tackle off the board due to his physical tools and pass protection polish.