Antuan Simmons (USC) signs with L.A. Avengers
Published on December 4, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Antuan Simmons, a hard-hitting, play-making defensive back from the University of Southern California, has signed with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Simmons (5-foot-10, 195 pounds), who has battled for a roster spot with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers in each of the past two seasons, inked his one-year deal with the Avengers just prior to joining the team this morning for the start of a three-day, five-practice mini camp at West Los Angeles College that continues tomorrow and concludes Saturday.
He will be a defensive specialist with the Avengers, who posted an 11-5 record last season.
"Antuan is a guy we've been after for a couple years now, so we're very excited to finally add him to our team," said Hodgkiss, who is beginning his third season at the helm of the Avengers. "He's a physical football player and has the ability to cover, which is rare combination and should lead to some great things."
Originally signed by the Chargers to a free agent contract following the 2002 NFL Draft, Simmons performed well in training camp and preseason games, but was released in the final cut. A year later, he went through the same situation in San Francisco, where 49er defensive coordinator Jim Mora once said, "Antuan's got that swagger you like in a corner, athletic arrogance. There's a lot to like about the guy."
In between NFL training camps, the F.C. Barcelona Dragons selected Simmons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Europe League Draft. He played cornerback in all 10 games with the Dragons and finished with 44 tackles (third on the team), eight pass deflections, one interception and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
In an outstanding and inspirational five-year career at USC, Simmons had a nose for the football and a knack for the big play, coming up with 208 tackles and six blocked kicks (four field goals, one PAT and a punt). He also made nine interceptions and returned three of them for touchdowns.
As a senior in 2001, he was USC's captain and college football's "comeback player of the year," battling back from an abdominal tumor in the summer of 2000 that hospitalized him for six weeks, stripped him of 40 pounds and nearly took his life three times. Simmons started all 12 games (primarily at free safety), finishing with 33 tackles (two for losses), three pass deflections, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He will long be remembered for his amazing between-the-legs interception and 36-yard return for a touchdown that was the highlight of a 27-0 victory over UCLA.
In his first three seasons with the Trojans (1997-99), Simmons started 20 games at cornerback, five at rover linebacker and five at strong safety. He also played in another nine contests and was a teammate of Avenger fullback/linebacker Lonnie Ford, who was a defensive end and tight end at USC (1997-2001).
Simmons attended Valley High School in Sacramento, Calif., where he earned numerous prep All-America honors, passing for 1,150 yards, rushing for 450 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns as a senior quarterback in 1996. As a junior, he played in the same backfield as Avenger defensive specialist Damen Wheeler, who was the Vikings' star tailback. Simmons, who also competed on the Valley track & field team, once ran 94 yards for a score and accounted for five touchdowns (three rushing and two passing) in a single game.
"This is such a great opportunity for me," said Simmons, after completing his first mini camp practice session with the Avengers. "This is a fun game and it's good to get back to the L.A. area and see some familiar faces out here."
Born on March 31, 1979, in Memphis, Tenn., Simmons currently resides in Sacramento and has a daughter named Terisha.
Avenger season tickets for the 2004 campaign, which begins on Feb. 8, are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 4, 2003
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- Antuan Simmons (USC) signs with L.A. Avengers - Los Angeles Avengers
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