CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Carolina Panthers signed a former Clemson star football player on Tuesday.
The team announced on Nov. 25 that it signed do-it-all defender Isaiah Simmons to its practice squad.
Simmons, who can play both linebacker and safety, was one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, and was viewed by many as a perfect fit for the Panthers. Carolina had the seventh pick in the first round and chose Derrick Brown with Simmons still on the board. The Clemson product went one pick later to the Arizona Cardinals.
Fast forward five and a half years, and Simmons is now joining his fourth team. He was with Arizona from 2020-2022, then was traded to the Giants and played two seasons there, then joined the Packers during the offseason but did not make the Week 1 roster.
While he was signed to the Panthers’ practice squad and not the 53-man roster, the 27-year-old Simmons could have a path to the field in Carolina thanks to a host of injuries. Starting linebackers Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom both missed the 49ers game, and backup Claudin Cherelus sustained a concussion in the loss. The Panthers also suddenly have a hole at safety after starter Tre’von Moehrig was suspended for punching a 49ers player during the Monday Night Football game.
Linebacker Krys Barnes, who spent most of the 2025 season on the Panthers’ practice squad, was thrust into the starting lineup against San Francisco and was signed to the active roster Wednesday.
When asked if Simmons could be elevated to the gameday roster against the Rams this Sunday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said “he may.” As for what position he could play, Canales said “we’ll have to figure out” if Simmons will be used as a linebacker or safety.
“He’s a big, fast athlete worth just bringing in, getting him out there, getting him comfortable with our schemes and our words,” Canales said of the former Tigers star Tuesday.
Simmons won two national championships during his run at Clemson from 2016-2019, and won the Butkus Award following the 2019 season, which is given to the best linebacker in college football. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2020.
The Panthers signed former Clemson football star Isaiah Simmons on Nov. 25.
The Panthers signed former Clemson football star Isaiah Simmons on Nov. 25.(Richard Shiro | AP)
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