Better Know A Dude 2015: #27 Defensive Back Justin Simmons

Name: Justin Simmons

Position: Defensive Back

Number: #27

Year: Senior

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 201 lbs.

Hometown: Stuart, FL

High School: Martin County

2013 Stats: Appeared in all 13 games for the Eagles, making four starts including the bowl game. Recorded 34 tackles (22 solo) and three pass breakups. Recorded a fumble recovery for 2 yards in the bowl game vs. Arizona. Tallied six tackles in games vs. Maryland (3 solo) and Arizona (6 solo) and five tackles in games against Army (2 solo) and Syracuse (4 solo).

2014 Statistics: Started the season as the starting free safety but moved over to left corner after injuries necessitated it. He led the Eagles with 76 tackles, including a season high of 11 against Colorado State. Had the game clinching interception off of John Wofford against Wake Forest.

2015 Projections: Simmons is going to be the man in the secondary, at least he's going to have to. Don't know where Addazio is going to play him, at free safety or corner. Given his size and weight he may be more of a natural fit at safety, but it also may be nice to have two upper classmen at corner (along with John Johnson). I expect Simmons to again lead the Eagles in tackles, and to have a handful of interceptions in 2015.

Over/Under: Three Interceptions

How'd He Get Here: A three-star safety out of Martin County HS in Stuart, Florida, Simmons chose the Eagles over a half dozen claimed offers -- Florida International, Georgia State, Illinois, Presbyterian, Purdue and Western Michigan. Recruited by Ryan Day.

Twitter Feed: You can follow Justin on Twitter @jsimms1119.

Tweetable: Apparently the starting defensive back got engaged last month

Will You Marry Me? https://t.co/FumhQri39U

— Justin Simmons (@jsimms1119) June 5, 2015

Uniform History: Of course we all remember Jamaica Plain tackle James Heggie wearing the #27 jersey from 1929-31. And who could forget Malden tackle Thomas Buckley (1935-37)? More recently, the #27 jersey was worn by Medford fullback Keith Barnette from 1973-75. FS Paul Cook (2000-03), CB DeJuan Tribble (2004-07) and FS Okechukwu Okoroha (2009-10) were the last three Eagles to wear the jersey number.

Linkage:

Justin Simmons Named To Wuerrfel Trophy Watch List (BC Interruption)

Better Know A Dude 2014: Defensive Back Justin Simmons (BC Interruption)

National Signing Day, Boston College Football: DB Justin Simmons (BC Interruption)

Bowl for Boston College caps Justin Simmons' season of challenge (TCPalm.com)

Quotable: Steve Addazio talked about the role Simmons played last year before the Louisville game:

Justin Simmons is a guy who can take on the quarterback. Justin is really playing as good of football as anybody out there right now.

Highlights:

Justin Simmons game clinching interception against Wake Forest (at 1:30)

Here's Simmons coming out of high school in Florida: