50 Auburn players fans should know: This transfer could anchor the offensive line

EDITOR’S NOTE: Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is featuring one Auburn football player per day. We continue the series today with offensive lineman Jo Simmons.

6-foot-5, 322 pounds, Dover, Delaware

As Auburn set out to rebuild its offensive line this offseason, the coaching staff prioritized experience above all else. In James Madison transfer Jo Simmons, the Tigers found exactly that.

A Versatile Addition to the Plains

Since signing with Auburn in January, Simmons has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the offensive line unit. While he primarily manned the tackle position last season, his versatility allows him to anchor either side of the line, bringing 29 collegiate appearances and 14 starts to the table. During his tenure at James Madison, he was a key contributor during the program’s impressive run to the College Football Playoff.

Proving His Worth

Simmons brings proven efficiency to the roster. According to Pro Football Focus, he surrendered only 16 pressures throughout last season. Most notably, he held his own against Oregon during the College Football Playoff, earning a 71.2 pass-blocking grade. To put that into perspective, Simmons’ production outperformed Auburn’s primary tackles from a year ago in terms of pressures allowed. His season-long 69.7 pass-blocking grade, per PFF, would have ranked second on the 2025 Auburn team, trailing only Connor Lew.

Battle for the Starting Job

Expectations for Simmons are high as he prepares for his first season in the SEC. He spent spring practice working with the first team at left tackle—his most experienced position. While Michigan State transfer Stanton Ramil remains in the mix, his recovery from injury during the spring leaves the door wide open. Should Ramil secure the left side, Simmons is expected to slide seamlessly into the right tackle spot.

At 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds, Simmons clearly possesses the frame necessary to survive the physical rigors of the SEC. During spring camp, he consistently held his ground against top-tier edge rushers like Jared Smith and Da’Shawn Womack.

Coaching Praise

Auburn offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick has been impressed by the newcomer’s intensity. "Every trait we look for in a body standpoint at tackle, he’s got," Hudanick said. "The thing that hopped off the tape the most was how hard he played. Whether it was good, bad or ugly, he was playing through the whistle, he was playing hard."

Coming Saturday: We feature Auburn’s athletic returning linebacker, Demarcus Riddick.