Former Tennessee football defensive tackle Elijah Simmons is now on an NFL active roster. The rookie began the year on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, but was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ active roster on Wednesday, with Calijah Kancey placed on injured reserve.
This means Simmons will be rostered for his NFL debut this Sunday when the Bucs host the Jets. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX. So far, Tampa Bay is off to a 2-0 start, and New York is 0-2. The Jets will also be without starting quarterback Justin Fields and will start backup Tyrod Taylor instead.
Simmons is now one of five former Vols who are rookies on active rosters. Draft picks James Pearce Jr. and Omarr Norman-Lott are also in the NFL from the vaunted defensive line, and offensive weapons Dylan Sampson and Dont’e Thornton Jr. are off to a strong start, as well.
Simmons will wear No. 92 on the Buccaneers. The 24-year-old defensive tackle is listed at 6-foot-1, 334 pounds. This makes him the second heaviest player on the roster behind nose tackle Vita Vea at 6-foot-4, 347 pounds.
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The Memphis native and Nashville-raised defensive lineman played six seasons at Tennessee. His first year was in 2019 under Jeremy Pruitt, where he played in three games and was eligible to receive a redshirt. In 2020, his second and last under Pruitt, he played in 10 games and started in two. He recorded 10 tackles and one pass breakup that season.
Through the coaching change to Josh Heupel, Simmons stayed in Knoxville. He was limited due to injury but still played seven games. He notched 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. In 2022, Simmons played in all 13 games. He was a piece of the rotation on the defensive line for a team that won 11 games, including the Orange Bowl. He posted eight tackles and one tackle for loss.
In 2023, Simmons played in nine games. He earned a career-high 19 tackles with three tackles for loss and half a sack. In 2024, his final year of eligibility, he was a part of what was arguably the best defensive line in the country. He played in all 13 games, including the College Football Playoff matchup with Ohio State, and recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Simmons is also known for two notable off-the-field accomplishments. He has gone viral for being able to dunk and making a full-court shot and being a terrific singer.
