Glenn Spencer talks about the linebackers, who may comprise OSU's deepest position group.
A young and physical linebacker with a big upside ... Considered a redshirt freshman.
2011: Began the season by seeing action in the first three games, but suffered an injury and applied and received an injury redshirt season ... Was credited with one tackle in each in the first three games of the season before being injured.
High School: A very productive linebacker who played on a state championship team at Steele HS, where he was coached by Mike Jinks ... Recorded a whopping 179 tackles as a senior with five interceptions and four fumble recoveries ... Had 151 tackles as a junior ... A first-team all-stater in Texas, according to the Associated Press ... Defensive MVP of the state championship game ... Also district MVP and was the San Antonio defensive player of the year ... Played for Team USA in the USA vs. the World All-Star game ... Scout ranked him the No. 13 prospect in the country at middle linebacker and No. 44 overall in Texas ... Rivals placed him No. 19 in America at his position and No. 52 in the state of Texas, regardless of position ... A second-team all-state selection as a junior ... Chose the Cowboys over Oregon and Stanford, among others ... Played in the U.S. Army All-America game (Army Bowl) ... Participated in FCA.
Personal: Ryan Joshua Simmons was born July 15, 1993 in Badhersfeld, Germany ... Son of Wayne and Karolyn Simmons ... Comes from a very athletic family, with his sister Meighan averaging double-figure scoring totals playing basketball at perennial power Tennessee the last two seasons, his uncle Reggie Pinkney playing five years in the NFL, cousins Eric Barton and Aaron Curry both excelling as standouts in the NFL and his cousins Patrick Pinkney and Chris Curry playing Division I ball at East Carolina and North Carolina, respectively.
