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Georgia Tech Football 2018 Player Previews: #6 DB Lamont Simmons

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 14: Lamont Simmons #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrates with Ajani Kerr #38 after returning an onside kick for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 14: Lamont Simmons #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrates with Ajani Kerr #38 after returning an onside kick for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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In today’s player preview, we highlight redshirt senior Lamont Simmons who is looking to have his biggest impact on The Flats yet.

A former USC Trojan, Lamont Simmons saw his first action as a Georgia Tech football player in 2016 appearing in 13 games for the Yellow Jackets. In that first season, he had 19 total tackles, one forced fumble and three pass deflections. This past season, Simmons didn’t see the same amount of time on the field. The Jacksonville, Florida native appeared in 11 games and recorded just nine total tackles and had two pass deflections.

The highlight of the 2018 season for Simmons was on special teams. When Miami looked to start the second half of their game against the Jackets with a surprise onside kick, Simmons picked up the kick (which would’ve been too short) and ended up returning it untouched for a touchdown.

What He Brings to the Table:

Through his first two seasons on The Flats, Simmons has proven to be a quality defensive back, but not a ball hawk. While he’s a defensive back that you can trust in a variety of situations and trust to not get burned by opposing receivers on a consistent basis, you can’t really expect him to come down with balls either.  This season however will be the first season, Simmons has to be a consistent starter which could elevate his level of play.

What Simmons does well and hinted to above  is keeping receivers close to him and not allowing big plays to happen. Outside of a miracle catch from Miami receiver Darrell Langham in the final minute of the Jackets loss to Miami, Simmons rarely allowed big plays last season. Even in the Langham play, Simmons played nearly perfect, if not perfect coverage on Langham covering him step for step.

Simmons wont hurt the Yellow Jackets defensively on a regular basis but he may not be a huge momentum shifter either, he may just be a cornerback who can consistently keep opposing receivers in check and limit major plays from occuring.

What to Expect in 2018:

Expectations for Simmons in 2018 should be high which is reasonable since he has a great deal of potential as a consistent starter. That being said, those expectations shouldn’t be incredibly high and unreasonable either. Simply, fans shouldn’t enter the season expecting Simmons to be the team leader in interceptions or make a ton of game changing plays.

Next: Georgia Tech 2018 Player Previews: #3 DB Tre Swilling

If Simmons can be successful in limiting big plays, it would be great for a Yellow Jackets secondary that could already be preconceived to being hit by big plays due to it’s overall inexperience. Simmons is also going to be expected to be a leader for the secondary both on and off the field. If he can be successful in those two areas, the Yellow Jackets coaching staff should be pleased with Simmons in 2018 and can’t ask for much more from the fifth year senior.