Simeon Caldwell

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-1, 195 lbs. Taller than 21% and heavier than 7% of 2026 Linebacker prospects in the SEC Scouts database (207 with a listed size).

Play Style

An instinctive, downhill defender who plays fastest going forward. On film he triggers quickly on run keys, fits aggressively and finishes tackles with good leverage. That explains the high tackle totals at Bolles. He is comfortable rotating late into the box, walking down over the slot or coming off the edge as a pressure player. In deep zones he reads the quarterback well and keeps the ball in front of him. He is more of a range-and-rally safety than a true ballhawk, as 3 career interceptions across three seasons suggests.

Strengths

• Versatility backed by production: a three-year starter at Bolles with 300+ career tackles, 4 sacks and 3 interceptions, used as an edge rusher, a box linebacker and a deep safety
• Downhill burst and alley closing: 247's evaluation calls out quick-twitch trigger and the ability to erase run-fit gaps quickly, which makes him a reliable second-level tackler from depth
• Football IQ and bloodlines: son of Mike Caldwell (11-year NFL linebacker, former Jaguars defensive coordinator) and nephew of Ohio State co-DC/DB coach Tim Walton. That shows up in pre-snap recognition and a faster curve learning the scheme

Areas to Improve

• Play strength and block shedding in the box. 247 lists this as the swing factor for whether he can be an every-down player near the line against Big Ten guards and tight ends climbing to the second level
• Man coverage technique against slot receivers and flexed tight ends. As a hybrid he will be tested in space, and his hip fluidity and transitions have to hold up against college route runners, not just high school athletes
• Settling on a position and body type. Moving between safety and linebacker is an asset in recruiting, but developing him means committing to a target weight and a primary spot so his technique can keep improving

College Projection

He is already on Ohio State's roster. He enrolled early in spring 2026 and shed his black stripe in fall camp, which signals he has been accepted within the program. He sits behind an experienced group of safeties, so special teams is his realistic path in 2026, especially kick and punt coverage where his size and speed stand out. Expect him to compete for a rotational safety or nickel/'robber' role in 2027 and to have a real starting chance by 2028. That could be at safety or as a sub-package linebacker if he grows past 215.

NFL Outlook

He has Day 2-3 potential as a big safety or 'dime linebacker', the kind of player NFL teams now value as sub-packages replace base personnel. His draft stock will depend on proving he can hold up in man coverage at safety or shed blocks at linebacker. If he adds strength and keeps his burst, his size, speed and football pedigree make him a realistic draftable prospect after three or four seasons.

Best Fit

A multiple, pressure-heavy defense that uses a hybrid safety/linebacker: a big nickel, robber or 'Jack' safety who can drop, fit the run and blitz. Ohio State's current system, with Tim Walton coaching the back end, is close to an ideal developmental fit. He also has the special-teams value to see the field before he wins a defensive job.