Cody Simon LB Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cody Simon LB Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (94%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (94%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Pass Rush: |
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89% |
| Run Defense: |
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93% |
| Coverage: |
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79% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#125
Position rank:
#11
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| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 1598 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#138
Pos Rank:
#12
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 95/100
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| Ovr Rank: #98 Pos Rank: #6 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Edgerrin Cooper - Texas A&M |
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91% |
| Nolan Smith - Georgia |
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80% |
| Channing Tindall - Georgia |
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78% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Cody Simon, a fifth-year linebacker for Ohio State, has experienced both highs and lows during his collegiate career. A highly touted four-star recruit out of St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey, Simon arrived in Columbus with considerable expectations. He gradually worked his way into the lineup, appearing in 44 games over his five seasons with the Buckeyes, including 15 starts. Simon's most productive season came in 2021, when he started 10 games and recorded 54 tackles, good for fourth on the team.However, Simon's journey wasn't without setbacks. After his breakout 2021 campaign, he lost his starting position in 2022, seeing his snap count and production decrease. Despite this setback, Simon showed resilience and continued to contribute, particularly on special teams. He bounced back in 2023, reclaiming a more significant role in the defense and finishing fourth on the team with 57 tackles, despite not being a full-time starter. His performance in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Missouri, where he recorded a career-high 12 tackles, showcased his potential when given opportunities.
Off the field, Simon distinguished himself academically. He earned recognition as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Simon graduated with a degree in finance in December 2023 and pursued a master's degree in human development and family services during his final season. His perseverance through positional challenges, combined with his academic achievements, paint a picture of a resilient and dedicated student-athlete.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus athleticism for the position, showcasing impressive straight-line speed and change-of-direction ability in space
- Instinctive player who quickly reads plays, consistently putting himself in position to make stops
- Versatile defender with experience at all three linebacker spots, offering scheme flexibility for NFL defenses
- Reliable tackler who wraps up well and rarely misses, demonstrating solid technique and closing speed
- Shows aptitude as a blitzer, displaying good timing and burst when rushing the passer from various alignments
- Comfortable dropping into coverage with fluid hips and adequate depth awareness in zone assignments
- High-character individual and natural leader who commanded respect from teammates and coaches throughout his career
- Durable player who suited up for 44 career games, proving his ability to stay on the field and contribute consistently
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal size and length for an NFL linebacker, which may hinder his ability to stack and shed against offensive linemen
- Production doesn't fully match athletic testing, suggesting room for improvement in translating physical tools to on-field impact
- Limited starting experience over his collegiate career raises questions about his readiness for a full-time NFL role
- While versatile, hasn't truly excelled in one specific role, potentially complicating his projected fit at the next level
- Can improve in run defense, particularly in maintaining gap integrity and disengaging from blocks more consistently
Scouting Report: Summary
Cody Simon offers intriguing upside as a developmental linebacker with plus athleticism and versatility. His range and ability to play in space make him an attractive option for defenses that prioritize speed and coverage skills from their second-level defenders. Despite losing his starting job at one point, Simon showcased resilience and continued to contribute, demonstrating the mental toughness required at the next level.Simon is best suited for a 4-3 scheme where his athleticism can be maximized, with potential to contribute in sub-packages early in his career. His experience on special teams adds value to his draft stock, providing a clear path to immediate playing time while he develops. While Simon may not possess the ideal frame for an every-down NFL linebacker, his instincts and tackling ability suggest he could outperform expectations with proper coaching and development.
Ultimately, Simon profiles as a late-round selection with the potential to carve out a role as a core special teamer and situational defender. His combination of athleticism, versatility, and character make him an intriguing developmental project for teams looking to bolster their linebacker depth. With continued improvement in taking on blocks and honing his playmaking instincts, Simon could evolve into a valuable contributor in specific defensive packages at the next level.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Cody Simon percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Cody Simon (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
456.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
41.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.