Stars Simmons, Young lead Clemson-Ohio State defenses
Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. — There is little doubt the nation’s best defensive player will take the field at the Fiesta Bowl when No 2 Ohio State faces No. 3 Clemson for a trip to the national championship game.
The only debate for some is which sideline he’s on.
Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons have won plenty of awards and shown the skills that will make them high NFL draft choices, perhaps as soon as this spring. The two juniors are key cogs for the nation’s top two overall defenses, with Clemson leading the way.
Young led Ohio State (130, No. 2 CFP) and the nation with 16.5 sacks this season on the way to winning the Hendricks and Bednarik awards. The 6-5, 265-pounder from Maryland was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Young had four sacks in Ohio State’s first of two wins over Wisconsin, then had three in a critical victory against Penn State after missing the previous two games due to suspension.
Young has done all this despite opponents using extra bodies to get in his way.
“Teams put a lot more focus on chipping Chase, putting a guard on Chase, doubling Chase,” said Buckeyes freshman defensive end Zach Harrison.
It hasn’t really work as Young had 21 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles despite missing those two November games.
“When a play has to be made, we make it, get off the field for the offense,” Young said. “I think that’s the best thing we can do.”
Clemson’s Simmons has a similar style for the Tigers (130, No. 3 CFP), although no offense is ever sure if he will line up in the secondary or closer to the line of scrimmage.
“What he brings to the table is unmatched,” Tigers safety K’Von Wallace said. “I feel like he’s changing the style of sports today.”
Simmons, the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Kansas, describes himself as a Swiss Army knife, able to fit and excel wherever Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables needs him.
Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons (11) was selected to The Associated Press AllAmerica team.
He leads Clemson with 93 tackles, but his versatility and coverage skills show up elsewhere on the stat sheet: He also tops the team with seven sacks and seven passes broken up this season.
His play won him the Butkus award along with the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.