KANSAS CITY, Mo. — From one bird to another, a former Olathe North High School standout has gone from Eagle to Cardinal.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons eighth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday, adding another tool to the chest for Kliff Kingsbury's turnaround NFC West squad.
"It was emotional," Simmons told NBC affiliate station 12 news in Phoenix. "Growing up as a kid this has always been a dream of mine ever since I can remember.”
Simmons, along with the rest of the 256 draftees selected in 2020, participated in the first all-virtual draft amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Even though I didn't get to walk across the stage, it was still something that I'm going to remember forever,” Simmons said “It was life changing."
Simmons recorded more than 1,100 yards and 13 total touchdowns in his senior season in Olathe, but spent the majority of his college career playing linebacker.
Many draft experts considered the 6'3 230-pounder “positionless,” affecting his pro prospects.
"I just want to play football," Simmons said, “but if I had to boil it down to one position... I don't even know if i can. I was considered a linebacker in college, so I would probably stick with that."
Simmons joins fellow Clemson product Deandre Hopkins as new additions to the Cardinals roster.
