John Simon

By JLBNYC -05 December 2012
56 Comments
- Football

He will be missed! What a great buckeye. One of my all-time favorites.

I dont really have anything insightful to say on the topic; I just thought these were cool photos!

D. Anthony on 5 Dec 2012 - 4:46pm #

I like it!

D. Anthony

GA-Buckeye on 5 Dec 2012 - 4:49pm #

I still remember seeing that picture where he was signing his LOI with his parents...after getting passed the initial shock of how scary his dad looked (sure he is a nice guy), you could just tell this kid was going to be a beast at OSU and was destined for greatness here.

What a great Buckeye he turned out to be! Definately an all time favorite and will be missed. I hope he goes on to have a great NFL career and ends up back at OSU someday.

Good luck, Mr. Simon!

IBLEEDSCARLETANDGRAY on 5 Dec 2012 - 4:49pm #

That Michigan pic is from his freshman year isn't it? He was a monster even then :)

"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever

JLBNYC on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:00pm #

thats right (freshman year) - a beast since the day he walked through the door!

Squirrel Master on 5 Dec 2012 - 4:53pm #

Simon came in as a DT and was weighing 285-290. He was huge! Slimmed down to fit at DE more.

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:24pm #

I don't think he was ever over 275-280.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Squirrel Master on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:29pm #

He was recruited as a DT. He came in huge! He iwas not the same size he is now. look.

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=3202295

Poe McKnoe on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:31pm #

Yea, John Simon was never 285lbs. 265 max.

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:32pm #

I know he came in as a D-Tackle..but he was never that heavy.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Squirrel Master on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:46pm #

Have you seen pics of him when he was being recruited? He was carrying a ton of weight.

This is him this year at 260. He has lost weight to be faster on the end.

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:50pm #

I knew him as a senior at Cardinal Mooney. He was never up to 290. He's always been relatively lean so he didn't just drop 25 pounds and go from lean to lean, if you get what I'm saying. He's pretty much stayed within range of 270 or so..give or take 5 pounds.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Squirrel Master on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:57pm #

so explain that pic then? He does not look like that anymore at all. He definitely carried more weight before his freshman year than he does now. He used to be a muscle building machine. Much more lean now. You can't tell me he weights the same in both of those 2 pictures. Come on!

and its not just recruiting sites that were touting him over 280. many articles back when he was recruited were saying he was over 280.

and you really are going to tell me that you know John Simon so well that you have monitored his weight since he was in HS and know without a doubt that he never weight more than 275 as you say?

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 10:35pm #

Pictures can be deceiving..especially when one is close up and one is from far away. In not saying he was the same weight in this first pic then the second. He was 280 or so in this first pick and 265-270 in the second. All he did was tighten up 10--15 pounds or so.

Yes, I worked out in a gym in Youngstown with him and my cousin(who goes to Y-town state) the summer after his senior year and he was 280 lbs.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Squirrel Master on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:08am #

Well 280 is pretty big and that really is the point. Maybe he wasn't 290 but the guy was definitely bigger when he came in to OSU than he is now.

I am curious if he might benefit more in the NFL if he got a little more bulk to play more DE. But then again, lighter ends are becoming more of a fad in the NFL.

BrewstersMillions on 6 Dec 2012 - 2:19pm #

"lighter ends are becoming more of a fad in the NFL."

Care to elaborate? What number do you determine to be light? Defensive ends are getting bigger and faster, not just faster.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

Squirrel Master on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:52pm #

250-260 seems to be about the weight of some DEs now. I'm talking about the guys that aren't every down guys because they can't play the run but are lightning off the edge. Guys like Chris Clemons in SEA, Elvis Dumervil in DEN, Chandler Jones in NE, Jabaal Sheard in CLEV are a few listed as DE. I know there are others that are not listed as DE but their sole role is to be a rush end even though they are considered a hybrid DE/OLB.

not saying all DE are light but there is a fad in the NFL now to get a big speed rusher on the end, trim him down to help his speed and turn them loose.

BrewstersMillions on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:56pm #

Sounds about right. Scary when you get a near 300 pounder like Peppers or a 270 pounder like Allen able to come screaming off the edge but 260 sounds right.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

NObuck-I-inTEAM on 6 Dec 2012 - 8:04am #

Those must be the new arm slimming tattos that I have been reading about ;)

buck-I.8 on 7 Dec 2012 - 9:27am #

Considering that fat weighs considerably less than muscle mass, it's completely believable that there could only be a ten to twenty pound difference in those two photos. Simon cut all of the bad weight, and his mass is mostly muscle at this point.

buckeye76BHop on 6 Dec 2012 - 2:03pm #

I think someone's a little jealous of Simon's beasty size...pretty sure he did it legally too;-)

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:33pm #

Recruiting sites heights and weights are never accurate.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

jthiel09 on 6 Dec 2012 - 6:12pm #

Who downvotes this? It's a completely accurate statement.

Buckeyejason on 6 Dec 2012 - 7:27pm #

Angry fools do.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

jthiel09 on 6 Dec 2012 - 7:58pm #

Apparently

IBleedSandG on 6 Dec 2012 - 10:31am #

I wonder when he got the tattoo's? Too soon?

Squirrel Master on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:10am #

just because a player has tattoos doesn't mean he traded stuff for them or money. Braxton has tats as well as many other players. Some players in college actually save their money and can afford to buy tats. Although I wouldn't be surprised if players still got a discount.

not too soon, just way off base!

Northbrook on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:02pm #

WAR DADDY

Buckeyevstheworld on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:10pm #

Too bad he didn't get to do that to Gardner.

"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.

JLBNYC on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:11pm #

More!

LouGroza on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:18pm #

Mr. Simon was easy to see on the d line as a freshman. Remember wondering who #54 was and thinking he would be a good one. Turned out to be a great one.

luckynutz on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:25pm #

One of those guys who makes you wish eligibility lasted forever instead of just 4 years. Loved watching him get after it in the scarlet and gray. Can't wait to watch him get after it wherever he goes in the league.

Bucks43201 on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:31pm #

I'll never forget the effort & heart he played with in his last game against Wisconsin...what a way to end his Buckeye career

"You win with people." - Woody Hayes

BrewstersMillions on 5 Dec 2012 - 5:56pm #

That picture of him and Meyer is poignant. I really wish John Simon got to finish his career on the field, not the sidelines.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

Phoenix824 on 5 Dec 2012 - 8:46pm #

I had a tear in my eye as I watched John limp toward Urban. What a Warrior. Him, Boran and Speilman are likely always going to be my three most favorite Buckeyes.

OurHonorDefend09 on 6 Dec 2012 - 10:27pm #

Same. Was almost unhappy with the game that day, just because he didn't get to play his last game as a Buckeye. I'm from Youngstown and have met John before and he is one of the most polite people you'll ever meet. True epitome of a Buckeye.

Don't give up... Don't ever give up.

Buckeyeneer on 5 Dec 2012 - 6:42pm #

Bottom left pic should say under it, "Textbook form tackle."

"Because the rules won't let you go for three." - Woody Hayes
THE Ohio State University

JLBNYC on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:09pm #

for sure. That is my favorite photo

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:23pm #

Brewster may not agree but he was the best D-lineman the Buckeyes have had since Will Smith IMO. I'm not going by pro potential or anything like that but more in regards to consistency. Heyward had the size, Gholston had the speed and strength, but Simon just maximized his game with relentless effort and desire. Playing every spot on the line and doing pretty good at each of them as well is a testesmemt to itself being 6'2" 260-270 lbs. The guy disappeared at times but so did Vernon, Cam, Thad etc.

I hope the guy comes back to be OSU's D-line coach when his pro career is over. (Man crush rant over).

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Triv on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:35pm #

Brewster never had anything against Simon as an Ohio State Buckeye as I understand it. He just doesn't believe his size and play style translates well to the NFL. IIRC, Brewster loves Simon, just doesn't see a first rounder out of him.

Apologize in advance if I put words in your mouth Brewster

Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite

Squirrel Master on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:14am #

No, you are right Triv. Brewster in all our conversations never said he dislikes Simon. Just has his beliefs. Although I wouldn't put it past him to think that Hankins was the best dlineman. I think I actually feel the same way. Simon was awesome but there is a reason this defense was very stout on the run, that was Hankins.

BrewstersMillions on 6 Dec 2012 - 2:50pm #

HA! Jason funny choice of words. I've actually said that myself. I'd say in terms of the best ends OSU has had in the time in which I've really been paying attention, I'd put Will at 1. Vernon at 1a, and Simon slightly behind Gholston. All three were equally adept at stopping the run and the pass. I'd take it a step further and say Will was the best linemen in school history, at least from my seat he is.

As for Simon, If you are making an all time OSU roster, he's certainly on the 2 deep at end.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

Buckeyejason on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:20pm #

Gotta agree with you on that. Smith had everything you wanted really.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

BrewstersMillions on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:24pm #

I was a big Darrion Scott fan. He wasn't one of the all time OSU greats, but he was a big, mean, angry bastard. His hit on Cinci's QB (Guidugli, maybe?) and Gesser of Washington State in 2002 still stick out in my head as 2 of my all time favorite plays. Scott was a great secondary player on that star studded D, but man when he hit people, he obliterated them.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

Buckeyejason on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:40pm #

I always hoped that Rob Rose would become the next Darrion Scott..so to speak. Animal indeed.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

BrewstersMillions on 6 Dec 2012 - 3:46pm #

And if we are putting together an All-Bust Ohio State team, Rosey might have been a captain. What a monumental waste of once in a lifetime physical tools....

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

DetroitBuckeye on 7 Dec 2012 - 3:36am #

Just curious, where would you put Heyward at on that list???

Buckeyejason on 5 Dec 2012 - 9:38pm #

I know that, and he has a point and I respect his opinion. I don't know what the heck he'll do as a pro..but I know was pretty good here.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

chubby on 6 Dec 2012 - 8:01am #

All I know is I hope all the "experts" are right about the draft and he slips into RD3...so my Raiders can draft him.

I know Raiders suck but they need to rebuild and Manti Te'o in RD1 and Simon in RD3 would be AMAZING!

BuddhaBuck on 6 Dec 2012 - 9:28am #

Guys with high motors and solid football IQ who don't solely rely on their physical talents (this is me taking a shot at Big Vern) seem to do pretty well in the big leagues. See: JJ Watt, Robert Mathis, Jared Allen, Paul Kruger, Adam Carriker, etc...

It also doesn't hurt that he had a former NFL Pro Bowl DE coaching him up (Vrabel).

Really wish he could have been out on the field eating Denard & Co. for Thanksgiving.

Keep Calm and Ignore the Trolls.

William on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:12am #

You can add Rob Ninkovich to that list, who is the same size and weight as Simon, and is the guy that Simon probably projects to being close to, but JJ Watt is an athletic freak so you can't really have him as being entirely successful because of high motor/football IQ.

Buckeyejason on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:47am #

I was going to say the same thing about Watt. 6'6" 290 who can run and jump like that is INSANE athletism!!

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

IBLEEDSCARLETANDGRAY on 6 Dec 2012 - 10:15am #

Simon will get drafted and his relentlessness is what will allow him to stick. Watch the Patriots draft him and watch him shine. He may not be on the same level as a DeMarcus Ware or Clay Matthews but he will cause headaches and make some big plays. You know Bill Belichick will want him. Vrabel I am sure will encourage him to draft Simon.

"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever

BuckeyeCash22 on 6 Dec 2012 - 11:35am #

If he doesn't hang on with an NFL team I hope the strength staff hires him. His work ethic in the weight room is one that younger guys can learn from.