6 Devon Simmons

Class: Senior Hometown: Highland Springs, Va. High School: Highland Springs H.S. Height / Weight: 5-11 / 205 Position: S Experience: 2L

WORTH NOTING: Battling for a starting position in the defensive backfield ... ferocious tackler ... became an integral member of the secondary in 2000 after missing the previous season due to personal reasons ... lettered in 1998 and 2000 ... was in on two tackles in the 2001 spring game.

AT VIRGINIA: 2000—Moved to safety for the regular season after starting training camp as a cornerback ... was a little behind after the move, but saw his playing time increase throughout the season ... played in all 11 regular season games and against Georgia in the Jeep O’ahu Bowl ... started first game of his career against Georgia Tech ... finished the season seventh on the team in tackles with 46 ... second among defensive backs in total stops ... accounted for two tackles for a loss ... also caused a fumble and had one interception ... made one tackle against BYU in his first game back after a one-year layoff ... had three tackles in each of the next two games– wins over Richmond and Duke ... made just two tackles combined in the next four games ... came in for an injured Jerton Evans early in the North Carolina game ... finished that game with 10 tackles, including one for a loss, and was an integral part of an outstanding defensive effort ... had a key diving interception in the end zone early in the third quarter to thwart the Tar Heels’ best scoring opportunity ... Virginia held a slim 7-3 advantage at the time ... was in on a career-high 16 stops in his first start against Georgia Tech ... 13 of his tackles were solos ... had four tackles against N.C. State and seven vs. Virginia Tech while splitting time at safety with Shernard Newby and Jerton Evans ... in on four tackles against Georgia in the Jeep O’ahu Bowl ... lettered for the second time. 1999—Did not play for personal reasons. 1998—Played in all 11 regular season games and in the Peach Bowl ... saw action as a reserve safety and special teams standout ... didn’t see a whole lot of action from scrimmage behind first-team All-American Anthony Poindexter and Adrian Burnim ... finished the regular season with 17 tackles (11 solo, six assists) ... fourth among team’s freshmen in tackles ... key member of the punt return and kickoff coverage units ... blocked a punt for a safety in UVa’s win over N.C. State on Oct. 24 ... it was the first block of his career ... had a career-high five tackles vs. Maryland ... had four tackles vs. San Jose State and three vs. Virginia Tech ... recovered an onsides kick by David Greene against Georgia with just over a minute left in the Peach Bowl and the Cavaliers trailing 35-33 ... Virginia then drove to the Georgia 31, setting up an unsuccessful 48-yard field goal attempt by Todd Braverman with 19 seconds remaining ... was in on one tackle in the Peach Bowl ... earned his first letter. 1997—Red-shirted ... did not play in a game ... was in uniform against Auburn, Richmond, Wake Forest and Florida State.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterman in football at Highland Springs High School for head coach Randy Stokes ... PrepStar All-American and first-team Associated Press All-State as a senior defensive back ... rated one of the top 25 football prospects in Virginia by the Roanoke Times ... chosen to the Charlottesville Daily Progress /Lynchburg News & Advance “Gold List” ... named to the “Team Elite” in the East Region by Gridiron Greats... earned second-team All-State honors as a junior ... two-time All-Metro selection by the Richmond Times-Dispatch ... also twice chosen first-team All-Region and All-District ... had 97 tackles and three interceptions as a senior ... returned one interception 78 yards for a touchdown ... had 94 tackles and five interceptions as a junior ... played linebacker as a freshman and sophomore before moving to the secondary ... intercepted three passes during first game at safety his junior year ... also played running back in high school ... rushed for 987 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior ... had touchdown runs of 81, 80, 71 (twice), 66 and 62 yards that season ... rushed for 538 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior ... also ran track ... tied school record in the 55-meter -dash with a time of 6.2 seconds.

PERSONAL: Devon Tyrone Simmons ... born 8-11-79 in Richmond, Va. ... son of Tyrone Simmons and Wanda Simmons ... has one sister, Kim (20) ... received Academic Excellence Award and named “Student Athlete on the Rise” at Highland Springs High School ... also received “Achievement Beyond Expectations” recognition ... volunteered in the Student Mentor Program as a junior and senior ... recipient of “On the Move” Award at Highland Springs ... cousin, Corey Cotman, played football at Virginia State University ... sociology major.

Simmons Defensively

Simmons Punt Returns