Jeffery Simmons Bio
Jeffery Bernard Simmons Jr. is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Titans with the 19th pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Simmons has established himself as one of the premier defensive tackles in professional football, earning four Pro Bowl selections and multiple All-Pro honors throughout his career. Known for his explosive first step and powerful hand technique, Simmons has been a disruptive force along the Titans defensive line since his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Jeffery Bernard Simmons Jr. was born on July 28, 1997, in Jena, Louisiana, United States. He grew up in Macon, Mississippi, where he attended Noxubee County High School. During his high school career, Simmons developed into a highly decorated prospect, earning recognition as a five-star recruit. His exceptional performance on the field caught the attention of major college programs across the Southeast.
Simmons chose to continue his football career at Mississippi State University over notable offers from Alabama and Ole Miss. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Simmons maintained academic excellence in college, becoming a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Path to American Football
At Mississippi State, Simmons quickly demonstrated his potential as a disruptive interior defender. As a true freshman in 2016, he recorded 40 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections while showing flashes of the playmaking ability that would define his career. His sophomore season in 2017 marked a breakthrough, as he became a consensus First-team All-SEC selection after accumulating 60 tackles, five sacks, and creating multiple turnovers.
His junior season in 2018 proved he could sustain high-level production, registering 63 tackles, two sacks, and four pass deflections. Following the season, Simmons declared for the 2019 NFL draft. However, his draft preparation took an unexpected turn when he suffered a torn ACL during training in February 2019. Despite the injury, the Tennessee Titans selected him in the first round with the 19th overall pick, believing in his long-term potential.
Jeffery Simmons Career
Rookie Season (2019)
Simmons signed a four-year, $12.66 million rookie contract with the Titans in May 2019. He began the season on the reserve/non-football injury list while continuing his recovery from the ACL injury. The Titans activated him from the list in October, and he made his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording four tackles and his first career sack on Philip Rivers in the 23-20 victory.
Simmons finished his rookie campaign with 32 tackles and two sacks in nine games. The Titans secured a 9-7 record and qualified for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the AFC. During the postseason, Simmons contributed to the Titans upset victories over the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens before the team fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Breakthrough Years (2020-2022)
The 2020 season saw Simmons emerge as a consistent interior presence, recording 49 tackles and three sacks while demonstrating his ability to impact games beyond traditional statistics. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 9 and helped the Titans capture the AFC South title with an 11-5 record.
Simmons elevated his play to an elite level in 2021, accumulating 54 tackles and 8.5 sacks while appearing in 17 games. His three-sack performance against Joe Burrow in the Divisional Round playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals showcased his ability to take over games. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement and received Second-team All-Pro recognition. He ranked 54th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
The 2022 season brought similar production with 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 15 games. Simmons earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation and Second-team All-Pro honors, solidifying his status among the league’s top defensive tackles. His ability to generate pressure up the middle made him invaluable to the Titans defense.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023-Present)
Prior to the 2023 season, Simmons signed a landmark four-year, $94 million contract extension with the Titans in April 2023. The deal reflected his status as a foundational piece of the franchise. However, the season was interrupted when Simmons was placed on injured reserve in December, finishing with 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 12 games. He also scored his first NFL receiving touchdown on a two-yard pass from Will Levis against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 2024 season saw Simmons post a career-high 76 tackles while recording five sacks and forcing two fumbles in 16 games. He earned his third Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for injured defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. His durability and consistent presence in the middle of the defense remained a cornerstone of the Titans defensive identity.
Driving Style and Strengths
Simmons possesses exceptional initial quickness off the line of scrimmage, allowing him to penetration gaps before offensive linemen can establish their blocks. His powerful hands enable him to shed blocks effectively, while his combination of size and athleticism makes him a threat against both the run and pass. His motor never stops, and he consistently pursues plays across the entire field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Simmons has recorded multiple multi-sack games throughout his career, including a three-sack performance against Matthew Stafford and a three-sack playoff game versus Joe Burrow. His first career receiving touchdown came in 2023, and he added another scoring reception in 2025. He scored his first career safety in Week 16 of the 2025 season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jeffery Simmons Career Wins
Throughout his career, Simmons has accumulated impressive statistics across six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. His career totals include 376 total tackles, 42.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 27 pass deflections, and two receiving touchdowns. His consistency in generating pressure and making plays in the backfield has made him one of the most reliable defensive playmakers in the AFC.
NFL Highlights
Simmons has earned four Pro Bowl selections (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) and three First-team or Second-team All-Pro honors (Second-team 2021, 2022; First-team 2025). He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 9 of 2020 and AFC Defensive Player of the Month in December 2025. His 42.5 career sacks rank among the highest totals for a defensive tackle through his first six seasons.
Other Achievements
Prior to his NFL career, Simmons won the Conerly Trophy in 2018 as Mississippi State’s top college football player. He was a two-time First-team All-SEC selection (2017, 2018) and a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member. His college career produced 163 total tackles, seven sacks, and numerous game-changing plays over three seasons.
| Competition Level | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2019-2025) | 376 | 42.5 | 8 | 27 |
Jeffery Simmons Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in Simmons family bloodline. His brother, Dylan Bradley, played college football at Southern Miss before spending time with the Minnesota Vikings organization. His uncle, Jason Hatcher, enjoyed a successful 10-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, providing Jeffery with a professional roadmap to follow.
Personal Life
Away from football, Simmons enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors in his free time. He has a son named Jeffery Jr. and two sisters, Brooke and Ashley. Simmons maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented one of Simmons finest professional campaigns. He appeared in 15 games and recorded 67 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three pass deflections to go along with a receiving touchdown. His 11 sacks marked the second-highest single-season total of his career. Simmons earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in December, highlighting his strong finish to the season.
Simmons opened the season with a strip-sack of Bo Nix in the season debut against the Denver Broncos. He recorded multiple sacks in games against the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. His two-touchdown reception season demonstrated his expanded role in the Titans offense when打法 aligned.
The Titans defense relied heavily on Simmons production throughout the season. His ability to collapse the pocket and pressure quarterbacks consistently created opportunities for his teammates. Despite the team facing challenges during the season, Simmons individual performance remained elite, culminating in his fourth Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro recognition. His leadership in the defensive line room and consistency against both the run and pass solidified his standing as one of the premier interior defenders in the entire NFL.