STARKVILLE — Jeffery Simmons sees the lists, even though he’d rather not. Thus, he knows he and linemate Montez Sweat are considered two of the best defensive linemen in the nation.
He tries not to think about it.
“That’s a distraction to me,” Simmons said. “I see all the media posting about the best defensive linemen and all that, but it’s a distraction and I try to block out all the distractions.”
The Macon native may not be reveling in his glory, but that doesn’t mean it will go away any time soon. The status is well-earned, after last year’s production earned he and Sweat First Team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the coaches both at the end of last season and this preseason, the first teammates in SEC history to pull that double.
Sweat earned those honors after tying for the conference lead with 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss. Simmons was not far behind with 12 tackles for a loss, five of them sacks. Both were preseason Third Team All-Americans by Athlon Sports.
The honors have done nothing but set a standard to meet.
“All those accolades, particularly for Jeffery and Montez, they understand all that stuff means you played good last year,” defensive line coach Brian Baker said. “We have to go as a group, and those two know this individually, they have to play better than they did last year or otherwise it’s a failure. That’s their challenge, they understand that challenge and so far they’re practicing to that challenge.”
For Simmons, the challenge is more mental than physical.
He already proved he can dominate opposing linemen from the physical standpoint, at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has already seen Simmons as a player who, “moves incredibly well for his size.”
Now all that’s left is to take the mantle that performance merits. As he transitions into the leadership role he’s earned, Shoop sees no problems on the horizon.
“Jeffery’s the alpha dog,” Shoop said.
With that, Sweat is free to simply play. In Shoop’s system, he should be more dangerous than ever.
“I think this scheme, probably more so than any others, has helped Montez, because we played him a lot as a defensive end and he was playing inside the tackle,” Baker said. “He obviously did a phenomenal job, First Team All-SEC, but that’s not what his body is built for. His body is built as an edge guy and this gives him a chance to do that.”
A selfless Simmons to his left helps, too. Simmons and Sweat made good fun of chasing each other for the sack lead through the first half of last season, but Simmons’ pace trailed off as opponents started double-teaming him. He was perfectly OK with it, even took pride in making things easier for Sweat.
If Sweat gets that treatment over a full season, on top of his own offseason development, records are at risk.
“My observation is he’s worked as hard as any player in the program this offseason,” Shoop said. “Through six or seven practices, he’s been one of the most dominant players on the field and he’s driven to have a great season.”
If both of them build on their numbers from the season prior, not only are Sweat and Simmons liable to earn All-American honors and more. They also could be part of a unit that launches MSU to a 10-win season or more.
Simmons is surrounded by experience in the interior, with seniors Grant Harris, Braxton Hoyett, Cory Thomas and Tre Brown there for help and juniors Lee Autry and Kendell Jones providing depth. Sweat will have senior Gerri Green on the other side of the line with junior Marquiss Spencer behind him.
Simmons and Sweat are believed to be among the best at their craft, but they don’t feel alone when they look around their defensive line meeting room.
“I feel like we have the best line in the country,” Simmons said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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