Western Washington University linebacker Shane Simmons has signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders. Projected as a possible sixth or seventh round pick in the NFL draft held Saturday and Sunday, Simmons was hoping to become just the second player in school history and the first in 30 years to be selected, but it did not happen. "It was a long day, but to get this chance is more than I could ever ask for," said Simmons, who also received offers from Detroit, Green Bay and San Francisco. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Simmons is hoping to become just the third Western player to see action for a NFL team. The other two are Michael Koenen, a punter and placekicker the last three years for the Atlanta Falcons, and safety Erik Totten, who played in two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. "I think it's a good place for him to go," said Western head football coach Robin Ross, who was an assistant for two years at Oakland. "They're looking for more speed at linebacker and he can give them that." Simmons, a graduate of Kentlake High School, completed his collegiate eligibility last fall and is expected to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in recreation. In 2007, Simmons was a D2Football.com honorable mention All-American and a first-team North Central Conference all-star. He led the NCC (12.5 avg.) and ranked fourth nationally among NCAA Division II schools in total tackles, and was ninth nationally in solo tackles (6.3 avg.). Simmons was credited with double-figure stops in nine of 10 games. That included a career-high 18 versus Minnesota Duluth when he was named co-NCC Defensive Player of the Week. In Western's 18-15 win over St. Cloud State, Simmons forced a fumble in the final seconds after the Huskies drove inside the WWU 25-yard line. He also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA Division I-FCS UC Davis in their season opener. A preseason D2Football.com second-team All-American, Simmons also was listed as one of the website's 15 Pro Hopefuls. The site stated, "Simmons is a high character kid with the work ethic and passion scouts look for in a player. He can play both inside and outside linebacker and adds value by being able to play all special teams." As a junior, Simmons was the national leader in solo tackles (9.8 avg. per game) and topped the NCC in total tackles (11.2 avg.) through the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury. He earned NCC POW honors that season for his performance in Western's 16-13 upset of No.15 Washburn, being credited with 11 tackles and forcing a fumble that led to the winning field goal with 2.7 seconds left. Simmons was a first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star as a sophomore for the Vikings after seeing action as a true freshman at Division I-BCS University of Idaho. Shane Simmons (9), Linebacker, Senior, 6-1, 230, 22, 8/9/85, Kent, WA
COLLEGE: D2Football.com honorable mention All-American ... Played in 2008 Cactus Bowl Division II Senior All-Star Game ... Led North Central Conference in total tackles and ranked fourth nationally in NCAA Division II with 125 (12.5 avg.) in 2007... Ranked ninth nationally in solo tackles with 63 (6.3 avg.) ... First-team North Central Conference all-star ... Also had 6.0 tackles for losses of 30 yards and 2.0 quarterback sacks for minus-16 yards, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery ... Had double-figure tackles in nine of 10 games ... Credited with career-high 18 stops versus Minnesota Duluth in being named NCC Player of the Week ... Forced fumble in final seconds after St. Cloud State drove inside WWU 25-yard line for 18-15 win ... Had 11 tackles and fumble recovery in Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA I-FCS UC Davis ... 2007 D2Football.com second-team preseason All-America and listed among that website's 15 Pro Hopefuls ... WWU Captain's Award winner and Defensive Player of the Year ... Second-team North Central Conference all-star in 2006 ... Started first five games before suffering season-ending injury against Minnesota-Duluth ... Prior to that was leading NCAA II nationally in solo stops (9.8 avg. per game) and topped NCC in total tackles (11.2) ... Credited with 56 tackles (49 solo), including 7.0 for losses of 26 yards and 1.0 sack for minus-4 yards ... Also had 2 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble ... Named NCC Defensive Player of the Week for performance in 16-13 upset of No.15 Washburn, being credited with 11 tackles and forcing a fumble that led to the winning field goal with 2.7 seconds left ... Had double-figure tackle total in four of five games played ... First-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star in 2005 ... Voted team's Defensive Player of the Year ... Played in all 10 games, starting first nine ... Credited with 66 tackles (41 solo), second on team, 8.5 for losses of 50 yards and 5.0 sacks for minus-41 yards ... Also had 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 pass breakups and 1 pass interception ... GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for performance against Central Washington on 10/29/05, having 9 tackles and forcing 3 turnovers (forced fumble, fumble recovery and pass interception) ... Three letters ... Also attended University of Idaho ... Played in three games for Vandals as true freshman in 2004 ... Credited with 8 tackles, 1 for loss of minus-1 yard.
As the clock ticked down in the final rounds of this weekend's NFL draft, former Western linebacker Shane Simmons paced the backyard of his parent’s home in Kent, Wash. He was waiting for a phone call.
Once the draft entered the final rounds, Simmons knew he wasn't going to get picked because teams weren't targeting linebackers, he said.
Then he finally received the call from his agent, Cameron Foster, who informed him the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders were interested in signing him.
After getting word Detroit and Oakland were most serious about courting him, Simmons signed a three-year deal with the Raiders.
When the decision was made, Simmons, his sister, mother and father embraced in a group hug.
“That was definitely one of the best moments of my life,” he said.
Simmons said Oakland’s offer was surprising because he hadn’t talked to them. Although he had focused on teams such as the Seahawks and 49ers because he had met with them in the weeks leading up to the draft, Simmons said joining a team as prestigious and celebrated as the Raiders is exciting.
Simmons said having the chance to play on any NFL team is all he could have asked for, but being on the West Coast and close to home is a bonus.
The decision to accept Oakland’s offer was also based on the fact they did not draft any linebackers, which gives him a better chance of making the team.
Western head coach Robin Ross said having the chance to choose the team that presents the best opportunity for playing time is one of the advantages of being a free agent.
Preseason games will be a pivotal time for Simmons because that is when he will have the chance to show the Raiders what he is capable of in game situations, Ross said.
With veteran starters usually playing no more than one quarter of each preseason game, rookies are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.
For two years, Ross was the linebacker coach for the Oakland Raiders. He said the team has always emphasized speed at that position, which Simmons possesses.
Simmons ran a 4.58 second 40-yard dash in front of scouts from the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots March 13 at Western’s turf field.
“His goal was to get an opportunity to play in the NFL, and now he’s got that,” Ross said.
Former Western teammate Taylor Wade said Simmons has all the physical tools to succeed in any level of football, but his determination is what sets him apart.
Getting NFL teams to take a chance on a Division II player is difficult, but Simmons always worked hard and put in the extra effort to show he was capable of competing at the professional level, Wade said.
“He played the game like he was playing for a higher goal,” Wade said.
With all of this anticipation finally behind him, Simmons will now be able to focus on the future, Wade said.
Simmons will be in California May 8-11 attending the Raiders first mini-camp. Mini-camp is a time when new players get to meet the coaching staff and participate in drills.
At the end of camp, Simmons will return to Washington, where he will remain until mid-June when he moves Oakland to pursue his dreams.
“It’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life and try to make a football team,” Simmons said.
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