SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The highest-profile defensive player at this year’s Fiesta Bowl is Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. However, members of the Ohio State offense know not to forget about Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
After leading the country in tackles for loss per game, as well as sacks with 16.5 total, Young was named the 2019 Chuck Bednarik award winner. He beat out defensive tackle Derrick Brown of Auburn and Simmons.
Simmons won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Simmons led the Tigers with 93 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and Buckeye offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson says the Tigers use Simmons all over the field, which makes him hard to prepare for.