Clemson Football: Isaiah Simmons will key in on WR Greg Dortch
Clemson football linebacker Isaiah Simmons will face his toughest assignment of the year Saturday afternoon when the Tigers take on Wake Forest.
Before the season began, we all talked about how Clemson football will miss linebacker Dorian O’Daniel on the defensive side of the ball.
O’Daniel was able to guard some of the conference’s best wide receiver and still key in on the run game.
Stepping into his role is Isaiah Simmons, who previously played a safety/nickel position, and is now the starting strong-side linebacker.
Simmons has played very well so far.
He’s had a few busts, but for the most part, has been very effective against the run and in pass coverage. On Saturday, though, he will face the toughest assignment possibly of the season.
Simmons will have the assignment of keying in on Wake Forest wide receiver Greg Dortch.
Stopping the offense…
The key to stopping that Wake Forest offense is limiting Greg Dortch. Dortch will get involved in a ton of ways for the Demon Deacons.
He will line up in that slot and be involved in running slant routes and underneath patterns, as well as running fades and deep routes. In addition to the normal routes, the Demon Deacons will throw him anywhere between 2-7 screens a game, as well.
For the Tigers to slow down that fast-paced Wake Forest offense, they’ve got to stop Dortch.
Dortch’s big play-making ability is what has made Wake Forest so successful on the offensive side of the ball. For Clemson football to get stop on defense, they’re going to need Isaiah Simmons to play his best game.
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Simmons has the talent and athleticism to hang with Dortch, but it will be interesting to see how he handles this assignment.
Other defensive backs will key in on the talented wide receiver, as well, but it will be interesting- at least in my opinion- to see the battle brewing between Dortch and Simmons Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem.