Michigan State DT Derrick Simmons looking to make an impact in year two

Michigan State redshirt freshman defensive tackle Derrick Simmons chose to stay with the Spartans despite a coaching staff change. Now, he has a chance in his second year to carve out a significant role in the defensive trenches in 2026.

Simmons originally signed with MSU under head coach Jonathan Smith and defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa as a four-star defensive linemen in the 2025 class. However, following Smith's firing, Simmons is now being mentored under head coach Pat Fitzgerald and defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III ("Coach DeBo"). He does have the benefit of some continuity with the defensive system, though, as Fitzgerald retained defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.

While Simmons built a strong bond with Suiaunoa last year, and it is never easy to go through a coaching transition, Simmons is grateful for the short time he has spent with DeLattiboudere thus far. He is a coach that Simmons believes will develop him as a player and a person, and Simmons is looking forward to continuing to learn from DeLattiboudere.

Another important person in Simmons' decision to stay in East Lansing is fellow defensive tackle Ben Roberts, who is affectionally known as "Big Worm." With Roberts — a veteran redshirt senior in the room whom Simmons trusts and respects — opting to stay with the Spartans, it made things easier for Simmons to do the same.

"Obviously, it's unfortunate — I really enjoyed my coach last year (Suiaunoa), but I'm also very fortunate for 'DeBo,'" Simmons said about DeLattiboudere and his decision to stay at MSU. "I was tight with 'Worm' (Roberts), and 'Worm' staying, it left an impact on me, because if he's able to trust this man, 'Debo,' with his final year of eligibility and whatnot, I also felt that I could also put my trust in 'DeBo.' After talking to him and seeing his experience and whatnot, I 100 percent believe it was the right decision. Just the way (DeLattiboudere) coaches, he's definitely developed me even more than just last year ... well he's just continued my development, and I think it's was definitely the right decision."

When discussing Roberts' influence further, Simmons noted that the fifth-year senior defensive lineman is a natural leader with a strong personality, and that Roberts is somebody that he can count on.

"I think it was just his personality, like he's a very big personality if you ever get to meet him — stubborn guy, but (in) just the right ways," Simmons said about Roberts. "He's always there for you. If anything ever happens to you, he'll be the guy right behind you to back you up, to get you right. And he's also just uplifting. He always brings energy during practice, so I think he's just like a great guy to follow."

The Frankenmuth, Michigan native is 6-foot-3 and now up to 305 pounds. In year two, despite a coaching change, Simmons has a much better grasp on how to be a student-athlete at the college level. As the Spartans near the end of spring practices for 2026, concluding with the "Spring Showcase" on Saturday, April 18, Simmons has his routine figured out.

As a true freshman in 2025, everything was new and took some time for him to adjust. Now, he is prepared for whatever challenges come his way, but he is still striving to improve every day.

"Learning everything, like spring ball when I first got here, it was like getting thrown into the fire — I was trying to learn everything," Simmons said about his first spring on campus in 2025. "I was in the facility almost the whole day because I didn't have a car. I had just gotten a scooter, but it's like, I can't go back, and academics, stuff like that, so it's just like shock. Now I'm a lot more used to it. So, I'm a lot more comfortable (and I'll) go back home (and) relax. But I've also taken a lot more time (with) treatment and whatnot, just kind of getting more comfortable in the environment (of) college football."

In 2025 as a true freshman, Simmons played in four games with the Spartans and preserved his redshirt. He played 44 snaps on defense and eight on special teams. Simmons recorded two tackles on the campaign.

While Simmons was a highly-rated prospect out of Frankenmuth High School, it took some time for him to adapt to the speed and physicality of the college game, along. with the conditioning to play at this level.

"I think the biggest thing for me, coming from high school here — I played small Division Five football in Michigan — so, it's a lot of the physicality," Simmons said about adjusting to the college game. "I'd play both ways, I'd get 100-something snaps in my high school games. Coming here, I'd play like 15 (in a game), and I feel like I played twice as many snaps (as) I did in high school. So, it's just physicality and how difficult it is, but you just gotta have the right mental, I think ... I was playing against like 200-pound O-lineman in high school that were like 5-(foot)-10, now they're 6-foot-6, 300-something pounds."

Simmons credited veterans from MSU's 2025 team, such as Alex VanSumeren — who has since transferred to USC — for giving him insight and tips and helping him learn the defense during his first year.

The experience he got playing in those four contests last year, and learning about the other aspects of college football, such as the film room, game plan and travel, among other things, were invaluable for Simmons' development.

"I think it was huge for me, last year, getting to learn everything as my body's still getting molded to college football, and getting bigger, stronger and whatnot," Simmons explained. "I think preparing in terms of the mental side of things was really big for me, and also getting a lot of traveling last year, getting used to the routine. And how to properly prepare for a college football game (was big) — the film, the preparation, the treatment, stuff like that."

As for working with DeLattiboudere and getting to know him, Simmons recalls how their relationship started and noted that DeLattiboudere is authentic in who he is.

"I remember the first time I talked to him, but the first time I met him was probably the first time I got back here (to East Lansing)," Simmons said about DeLattiboudere. "And, I mean, I saw him on social media, got on the phone a couple times with him, but I always knew when I called him, he's at the gym. I was lifting as well. He brought energy. I mean, he was tired from lifting and whatnot, but he was excited — dialing up. I (would) text, he'd send me drills and whatnot just to get me ready, prepared. He was just there for me. And the first time I met him, he brought that same energy, and that's what he's carried through to practice."

Things like urgency and attention to detail are aspects that DeLattiboudere harps on with his defensive linemen, according to Simmons. The redshirt freshman also noted that, personally, he needs to improve on reading his keys and getting off the ball on the snap.

Simmons also mentioned that the energy coaches like DeLattiboudere and Fitzgerald provide make it easier for the Spartans to get through their early-morning spring practice sessions, which usually start around 6:30 a.m. Simmons explained that the energetic personalities of the coaches are "bouncing off you like a satellite dish" and provide added motivation for the players at such an early hour.

In addition to the early practice, Simmons also has an 8:30 a.m. business class on Tuesdays.

Much has been made about the top-end talent and depth regardingMichigan State's defensive line and edge rushers. However, Simmons is liking what he is seeing from his unit so far throughout the spring. The group consists of a mix of young guys and veterans, and many players provide some positional versatility along the defense line.

Simmons noted that Roberts and redshirt junior Illinois transfer defensive tackle Eli Coenen have stepped up as a leaders in the defensive line room.

"I like where we're at," Simmons said about the defensive line. "I think we have a lot of young guys, that with 'DeBo' being here, we can develop really nicely and perform this year. We're fresh. I mean, if you look at it, not a lot of us have gotten a huge amount of snaps. So, I think we're ready to put on a show. And with 'Worm' (Roberts) and Eli (Coenen) leading us as older guys who have gotten more snaps, and really know tips and tricks and stuff like that, I think it'll get us prepared ... I think we're all interchangeable (alignment-wise). I think we have the ability to (bbe interchangeable) — we're all very athletic, a lot of length and just size and speed. So I think, yeah, we'll play either or (nose tackle or three-tackle)."

One player who Simmons was asked about specifically and praised is redshirt senior North Dakota State transfer center Trent Fraley. Simmons said that Fraley is strong, fast and agile.

Another player who Simmons complimented as a leader and football player is senior linebacker Jordan Hall.