Simms Looks To Pick Up Where He Left Off As Practice Resumes

After a two-week hiatus for final exams and then spring break, the Oregon football team resumes its spring practice schedule Tuesday morning.

For Keith Simms, the break must have been excruciating, given his high-level play in the five practices held in March. Then again, Simms has been deprived of the game before, and not by choice. A yearlong absence due to knee surgery in 2017 gave him a new perspective on the game of football, and taught him to appreciate and take advantage of opportunities.

Simms certainly did so in March. He'll look to pick back up where he left off Tuesday, when the Ducks continue building toward the Spring Game, to be held April 21.

"It's been good to be out there again," said Simms, a redshirt sophomore from Washington, D.C. "I've just been really trying to enjoy it, and have fun. I worked really hard this offseason, and just wanted to showcase that."

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Of all the players who consistently grabbed attention during the March practices — including but not limited to quarterback Justin Herbert, linebacker Troy Dye, receiver Johnny Johnson III and safety Ugochukwu Amadi — none was a more pleasant surprise than Simms. He played eight games as a true freshman in 2016, then spent 2017 rehabbing from knee surgery, while watching the Ducks suffer a series of injuries at his linebacker position.

Simms had practiced at both inside linebacker and outside linebacker at Oregon, but has focused on the "Mike" position in the middle of the defense this spring. A.J. Hotchkins, Kaulana Apelu, Blake Rugraff and Jimmie Swain all started there in the first seven games of 2017, and of that group only Apelu is back this spring. Freshman Isaac Slade-Matautia opened March beside Dye with the first-team defense, but Simms made a quick impression on defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt and moved up to get some time with the ones.

"He's been pretty good," Leavitt said. "Working hard and doing a great job. I'm really proud of Keith. …

"I've always loved Keith, as far as a person; just love him. But he had the injury, you know, so you kind of had to wait until he got out there to see. I knew he was tough, and I knew he played hard. I just didn't know much other than that."

That was due to the knee surgery Simms underwent just prior to last season, Leavitt's first at Oregon. The defensive coordinator could only watch Simms rehab during practice, and work through the mental hurdles the injury presented.

Simms, who also missed time due to injury as a high school senior, said he first felt sorry for himself, moping on the sideline while his teammates practiced. But he eventually found a different perspective, focusing on how he could improve himself — and thus also the UO defense — rather than dwelling on his circumstances.

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"The mental component was almost bigger than the physical component," Simms said. "Seeing the guys struggle in the bowl game, those were moments I dreamed of playing in. I know I can contribute, and I want to show that."

The Las Vegas Bowl was rock bottom for the Oregon linebackers, and not just due to the fact Boise State led from start to finish. Already depleted by injuries to Hotchkins, Apelu and Rugraff in the regular season, the Ducks played the second half of the bowl without Dye due to cramping. Then, Sampson Niu suffered a shoulder injury. With Slade-Matautia looking to preserve his redshirt status, the Ducks had to turn to converted safety and outside linebacker Fotu T. Leiato II for reps at inside linebacker against the Broncos.

Simms could only watch as the Ducks tried to patch things together in his absence. This spring, he's had an outlet for all the frustration that built up in 2017.

"Taking a step back, I realized how much I love football, and how much I missed it," said Simms, who was asked by UO coach Mario Cristobal to address the team after a recent practice. "And I can't just say that — I have to back it up."

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Simms showed flashes of his potential as a true freshman in 2016. He was pressed into action on special teams and for spot duty defensively. Of his 10 tackles, five came in the Ducks' heartbreaking overtime loss at California.

Dye and Simms both were members of the 2016 signing class. Dye recalled watching film of his classmates, and being impressed with Simms' potential.

"He's here for a reason, and we're happy to have him back on the field for us," Dye said. "He lost a little weight, got quicker and more agile. He's just out here doing his thing, and it's great to see."

Simms said he started to feel close to 100 percent healthy around the time of the Ducks' "Fourth Quarter" winter conditioning program this offseason. That's when Dye and the rest of the Ducks got a glimpse of his new attitude post-injury.

"I think it helped him figure out where he wants to go with his life, and his future," Dye said. "It happens to a lot of guys, where something big happens in your life to adjust your focus and your mentality. That was a big thing, and I'm happy he able to bounce back."

Five practices in March provided a hint of Simms' potential alongside Dye in the middle of the UO defense. Simms will look to reinforce that in the 10 remaining spring practices that begin Tuesday morning, and cement his status as factor for the 2018 Oregon defense.