10 biggest NFL draft busts in Clemson football history

With the season over, players are declaring for the NFL draft, but these are a few cautionary tales of Tigers who went to the NFL and it didn't quite work out.

By Josh Yourish | Jan 12, 2024, 7:59 AM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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. Isaiah Simmons, LB/S. 4. player. . No. 8 overall. 2020. Isaiah Simmons, LB/S. Clemson Simmons. 32

Isaiah Simmons was a crucial piece of multiple elite defenses at Clemson and was a dominant force on the 2018 national championship team.

At Clemson, Simmons excelled playing multiple positions, notably safety and linebacker, but he also took snaps as an edge rusher and even cornerback. However, that versatility didn’t translate the same way to the NFL.

Instead of being a big safety and an athletic linebacker, like he was in the ACC, he became a small linebacker and a slow safety. Simmons made over 100 tackles in 2021 and 99 in 2022, but he didn’t hold much value around the league and was traded to the New York Giants for a seventh-round pick.

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