April 27, 2008
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - 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 graduated winter quarter 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.
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Seattle Times, Seattle P-I and Tacoma News Tribune all-Area pick as senior at Kentlake High School ... South Puget Sound League North Division Offensive Player of the Year as quarterback ... First-team all-league both ways ... Listed among Seattle Times Top 100 (white chip) state high school seniors ...Selected to play in East-West all-star game ... Completed 49-of-96 passes for 1,052 yards and 8 touchdowns, and ran for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns ... Had 73 tackles, 2 pass interceptions, 2 blocked punts and 1 fumble recovery ... Helped Falcons to 9-2 record, SPSL North Division title and second round of Class 4A state playoffs ... Team co-captain and MVP ... First-team all-league as safety as junior, despite missing five games with broken leg ... Honorable mention all-league on offense as junior and defense as sophomore ... Started both ways and lettered three years ... Also earned two letters in baseball ... First-team all-league as sophomore.
PERSONAL: Major is recreation.
