Clemson football: 5 most underrated players in Clemson Tigers history

Don’t forget about how good Anthony Simmons was for Clemson.

If there is one former Clemson standout who does not get as much love as he should, it’s former linebacker, Anthony Simmons. In three years with the Tigers, all Simmons did was be an all-conference playmaker for them in the middle of their defense. From 1995 to 1997, Simmons was a First-Team All-ACC performer. He was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1995.

As a junior in 1997, Simmons was a consensus First-Team All-American for Clemson football. He led his team in tackles with 158, tackles for a loss of yardage with 25 and sacks with eight. His insanely productive career in the middle of the Clemson defense led him to be the No. 15 overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Simmons spent eight years in the NFL primarily with the Seahawks. The one year he was out of football, the Seahawks went on to play in the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. He last played for the 2006 New Orleans Saints before retiring. Simmons’ football career was over before his 31st birthday.

Given that he was a fixture on all-conference teams during his three years at Clemson, one would think Simmons would be a candidate for a potential College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. His lofty draft status illustrates how productive of a player he was in college. Until he is inducted, Simmons will remain the most underrated player in the history of Clemson football.