Michigan State football: Incoming freshman Derrick Simmons shows impressive workout (Video)

Honestly, after my last article, I thought I was done writing about bench pressing for a while. Turns out, I was wrong. Derrick Simmons is already starting to make a name for himself in the Michigan State football Twitter-verse (X-verse?), and he has yet to take a live rep in practice. Simmons had his own version of a Pro Day workout, and it turned some heads, to say the least.

Got some heavy work in at home over break. 225 rep out for 23 and 425×5 on Squat 💚🤍 #gym #SpartanDawg pic.twitter.com/c8X6W1nfU7

— Derrick Simmons ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@DerrickSimm2025) March 13, 2025

Derrick Simmons… workout warrior?

On Thursday, incoming freshman defensive tackle Derrick Simmons took to X to post a video, showcasing the lineman bench pressing 225 pounds, an impressive 23 times. For reference, that is the same number of reps that running back Nate Carter put up during his Pro Day workout the day prior. Now, I know what you’ll say: “Simmons should be matching that total, he is 70 pounds heavier and stands five inches taller than Nate.”

While true, Carter turns 23 in May, while Simmons is 17 or 18 years old.

For argument’s sake, let’s compare him to the NFL Combine defensive tackles. His 23 would rank second-to-last among the players (who all have three-plus years of physical maturity on him, by the way), but the one player he beats is intriguing, to say the least. Simmons has out-benched former Michigan Wolverine defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, a borderline first-round pick.

What is truly most impressive about this? Simmons had yet to see the inside of a collegiate weight room and have a dedicated strength and conditioning coach until January, when he enrolled early. He has had two months for the staff to mold him. Safe to say, the ceiling is much, much higher than 23 repetitions of 225 pounds.

As for his explosiveness, how does five squats of 425 pounds sound? Good? I thought so. The first-semester freshman posted a video of him squatting over four bills with relative ease. Explosiveness and power from a freshman this early sounds like a nightmare to a coach’s game plan in a fall or two.

In my initial breakdown of the defensive tackle room, I had Simmons as a player likely adjusting from Michigan Division 5 football via the redshirt. I might have to revisit this prediction. Simmons will be looking to fill the holes left by Maverick Hansen and D’Quan Douse. Michigan State football brought in Grady Kelly from Florida State this offseason, but that is only one player. So, am I saying there is a chance? Yes, yes I am.