Post-OSU Update: John Simon was a fourth-round pick (129th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Simon played 100 games over nine seasons with six teams. He compiled 21 sacks and 283 tackles. (updated: Oct. 2023)

Pronunciation: SIGH-mun

Major: Sports & Leisure Studies (2012), Exercise Science (2010-11)

Weight: 260 (2012), 270 (2010-11), 265 (2009)

2012 Media Guide: Good luck trying to find anyone in college football this year more aggressive or relentless along the defensive line than John Simon … or a better leader on and off the field … his efforts are exemplary, always, and he takes the added measure of pulling guys along with him – Ryan Shazier and Curtis Grant are two of his 6 a.m. workout buddies – for extra running, training or studying, something Coach Urban Meyer calls “harnessing the power of the elite” … “Ohio State is getting better,” Meyer says, [because Simon is leading the way] … expect Simon to become only the seventh two-time
captain in Ohio State history this season and the first since James Laurinaitis (2007 and 2009) … he enters his senior campaign with 11.5 career sacks and 28.5 career tackles-for-loss … is on the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Nagurski Award and the
Bednarik Award … … he was named a third-team Associated Press All-American in 2011 and he was also named first-team All-Big Ten Conference by the league’s coaches … he was a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and also was honored with Ohio State’s Bill Willis Award as the team’s outstanding defensive player … Simon played multiple positions along the line last season and lead the Buckeyes with seven quarterback sacks and 16 tackles for loss (for minus-59 yards), figures that ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten Conference … he also accumulated 53 tackles and broke up three passes … he was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week after a nine-tackle performance against Illinois that included four TFLs (second-highest total in school history) and two sacks … he had a career-best 10 tackles vs. Indiana … as a true sophomore in 2010 he played in and started all 13 games and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten … he returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown vs.
Minnesota.

2011 Media Guide: 55 career tackles, 12 TFL … Lott Trophy nominee.

2010: Earned a starting spot at tackle … honorable mention all-Big Ten … 10-yard sack of Miami’s Jacory Harris … TFL against Ohio … recovered an Eastern Michigan fumble … 6 tackles at Wisconsin … returned a Minnesota fumble 30 yards for a touchdown … 4 tackles and a TFL against Penn State … 6-yard sack and 4 tackles at Iowa … 5 tackles and a TFL in the Michigan win … sack and 3 tackles vs. Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl … defensive player of week: Eastern Michigan … Attack Force award: Iowa … second-year letterman.

2010 Media Guide: Promising defensive lineman who plays with power and strength … making a bid during spring practice to become the starter at right tackle … disciplined and dedicated in the weight room and the film room.

2009: Earned increased playing time at defensive tackle as a true freshman … 16 tackles for the season … TFL in the Toledo game … tipped a Purdue pass … sack and forced a Minnesota fumble … pair of tackles in New Mexico State win … four tackles, two TFL at Michigan … outstanding first-year defensive player from Ohio State coaches … Top Ten Tenacious six times, second-most on the team … first-year letterwinner.

High School: Dominant defensive lineman with power and strength … all-Ohio as a junior and senior for Coach P.J. Fecko … Division IV state and NEO defensive player of the year … 148 tackles, 13 TFL, 11 sacks, 3 forced fumbles as a senior … Cardinals advanced to the regional semifinals after four consecutive trips to the state title game … U.S. Army All-American game … Super Prep Midwest Top 20 … holds a number of Mooney weightlifting records … National Honor Society … Cardinal Mooney Ambassador.

Personal: Son of Renee and John Simon.