Regarded as the school's finest linebacker prospect since the Derrick Brooks era (1991-94), Sims is a legacy at Florida State. His father, Sims, Jr., played for head coach Bobby Bowden with the Seminoles from 1977-81 as a running back, while his mother, the former Alice Bennett, was an All-American sprinter on the Seminole track team from 1980-83. Sims was given jersey No. 34 upon arriving at Florida State in 2003, a number that was retired in honor of former Seminole great Ron Sellers. With Sellers' permission, the number was brought out of retirement at the request of the Seminole coaching staff.

At North Florida Christian High School, Sims was rated the nation's best prep prospect in 2003. He earned All- American honors by Parade as the top prep linebacker in the nation and USA Today All-USA second-team accolades. He was named to the top 100 in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel, was a member of the Super 75 team as selected by the Florida Times Union, chosen as the best player in the south and to the All-South Top 20 by the Tampa Tribune.

Sims earned five varsity letters at NFC, as he earned varsity spot in eighth grade. He led the Eagles to four state championships (1998-2001) during his five-year career. An incredible two-way player, he totaled 133 tackles (73 solos), 15 stops for lost yardage, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal attempt from his linebacker position and ran for 1,081 yards on 115 carries for 23 touchdowns as a running back during his senior season. He led NFC to the Class A state championship as he rushed for three touchdowns in the championship game.

Sims recorded 180 tackles, 41 stops for losses, 12 sacks and forced seven fumbles as a linebacker and rushed for over 600 yards and 17 touchdowns as a running back during his junior season. Upon graduation, Sims selected Florida State over Miami, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, Auburn, Southern Cal and Oregon.

As a true freshman, Sims appeared in every game as a reserve linebacker. He recorded 42 tackles (32 solos) with two stops for losses, a forced fumble and a pair of pass deflections in 2003. He started the final eleven games of the 2004 campaign, earning second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as he totaled 86 tackles (41 solos) with 4.5 sacks, nine stops behind the line of scrimmage and nine quarterback pressures. He also caused two fumbles, batted away five passes and blocked a kick.

The Butkus Award semi-finalist manned the strong-side linebacker position in 2005. He finished fourth on the team with 72 tackles (22 solos), adding 2.5 sacks, ten stops for losses and seven pressures. He also caused a fumble, deflected four passes and picked off two others.

In 38 games at Florida State, Sims started his final 24 contests. He finished his career with 200 tackles (95 solos), seven sacks for minus 61 yards and 21 stops for losses of 74 yards. He registered nineteen quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles. He also blocked a kick, gained three yards on two interception returns and had eleven pass deflections.

Positives: Undersized, but has above average quickness, good instincts and plays with reckless abandon … High-energy linebacker with very good aggression in his play … Is quick to see plays develop and while he needs to be free in order to make the play, he moves very well through traffic to locate the ball … Compensates for a lack of bulk by relying more on his quickness and sudden burst to beat blocks … Uses his hands well to keep separation and play off blocks (scrapes to the ball well) … Has the hand usage to sift through traffic and has the acceleration needed to get to the edge and contain the outside run … Generates good power behind his hits, showing the body control to break down, wrap up and hammer the ball carriers with authority … Shows very good reaction dropping back in pass coverage, as he is capable of covering tight ends and slot receivers in the short area and also gets enough depth in his pass drops to stay tight on the receivers going deep … Against the run, he is best when allowed to flow to the ball, as he can run, slide and move in space … Fast and athletic in his lateral movements, getting through trash to run the field and move down the line in pursuit … Takes proper angles in pass coverage and has the hip flexibility and body control to react immediately to plays in front of him … Is very good at reading the quarterback and reacting to the ball, showing the leaping ability to get up and deflect passes … Explosive hitter with good flexibility to counter blocks and close on the passer, but is better when playing off the line than in backside pursuit.

Negatives: Lacks the lower body strength to prevent the bigger blockers from washing him out of the play when they are able to latch on to his body … Lacks overall muscle development and gets bounced around quite a bit when taking on blockers in a phone booth … Shows good aggression, but will get reckless in his play and does not have the plant-and-drive agility to recover when he out-runs the ball … Tries so hard to avoid blocks that he takes a wide loop around them, failing to get back into the action in time to make the play and close on the passer in backside pursuit … Better coverage defender than a pass rusher, as he does not show good hand usage and an array of pass rush moves to get an edge on a blocker (has better hand placement on the move than when having to hold ground at the point of attack) … When he gets out of control in his pursuit, the runners are quick to find the cutback lanes … Has some durability concerns due to a fractured fibula and a concussion in 2005.

Sims is an undersized linebacker who plays with reckless abandon, which helps him pile up tackles, but also causes him to out-run plays. He struggles to recover from his over-pursuit and while he has good tenacity and aggression, he needs to play with better control of his emotions in order to be effective. A strong-side linebacker, he lacks the bulk and muscle mass to man that position in the pros and is better served on the weak-side, where his range, quickness and pass coverage ability can be put to better use.

Sims shows a good feel for reading blocks and works hard to avoid them. His problems occur when the bigger blockers latch on to his body, as he does not have the bulk or power to shed and disengage. He is best when allowed to flow to the ball, but by taking the wide loop around offensive tackles in attempts to gain backside pursuit, he is often late in closing on the pocket. He shows good hand usage to counter blocks, but if the lineman gets into his body, the lack of strength causes him to get washed out of the play, especially when working in tight quarters.

Sims has the range and lateral movements to be very effective working in space. He has the functional upper body power to reroute tight ends and backs in the short area and also gets very good depth in his pass drops to mirror the receiver on long routes. He is very instinctive working in the zone, handling switch-offs well and takes proper angles to close on the ball. He has excellent hip flexibility to come out of his backpedal without having to gather and anticipates the receiver's routes.

His range outside the box allows him to make plays on the perimeter and push the outside running game back inside. He needs to be free in order to make the play, as he does not shed blocks well, but he can sift through traffic and locate the ball. He relies more on quickness to beat blocks coming off the edge, but lacks the pass rush moves needed to seal the deal in the backfield.

If you look at his statistics, you will see a player that is capable of making the plays working in space and in motion, but most of his tackles come from arriving late and jumping in on the action. There are concerns about his marginal size and lack of raw power, limiting him to Cover-2 schemes at the next level, where his weaknesses will not be exposed as much. Durability issues are also a concern, along with maturity (see Off-Field Issues).

While he has the size and speed of Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks, to put him in that category at this stage of his career is ridiculous. He will best be served working at weak-side linebacker, as he does not have the strength or bulk to handle strong-side duties in the pros.

Started his final 24 games for the Seminoles … Tied with Derrick Alexander (1992-94) for 14th on the school's career-record list with 21 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention … Started all year at strong-side outside linebacker, despite suffering a fractured fibula in spring drills and a concussion in the fourth quarter vs. Virginia … Finished fourth on the team with 72 tackles (22 solos) and came up with 2.5 sacks for minus 23 yards, ten stops for losses of 36 yards and seven quarterback pressures … Recovered a fumble, deflected four passes and gained 3 yards on a pair of interceptions … Helped lead a unit that ranked 14th in the nation in total defense (309.23 ypg) and 18th in rush defense (108.38 ypg).

Miami … Opened the season with seven tackles (2 solos), including a stop behind the line of scrimmage and an interception … Took down tailback Tyrone Moss for a 1-yard loss on a run off left end midway through the first quarter and picked off a third-and-7 pass thrown by QB Kyle Wright at the start of the second quarter … Later in that quarter, Sims was tackled for a 1-yard loss by Miami linebacker Roger McIntosh on a fake punt attempt.

The Citadel … Managed only two tackles, but one stopped Montrell Lee for a 2-yard loss on a run with 1:08 left in the first half.

Boston College … Limited to three tackles (2 solos).

Syracuse … His only tackle came when he assisted defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in taking down tailback Damien Rhodes for a 3-yard loss on a run late in the third quarter.

Wake Forest … Bounced back with six tackles (2 solos) and 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage … Stopped tailback Chris Barclay for no gain on a second quarter run and on the next play (third-and-3), he assisted defensive end Kamerion Wimbley in tackling Barclay for a 2-yard loss … Closed out the first half by again leveling Barclay for a 2-yard loss on a run from the WF 20.

Virginia … Collected seven tackles (6 assists) … Assisted defensive end Willie Jones in stopping tailback Wali Lundy for a 2-yard loss on a third-and-8 run at the start of the second quarter … Was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer (Marques Hagans), nullifying a 22-yard interception return by linebacker A.J. Nicholson at the start of the third quarter … With 3:32 left on the clock, Sims made contact with Hagans on a 6-yard run, but Sims suffered a concussion when he collided with fellow linebacker Sam McGrew on that play.

Duke … Started, but was limited to two tackles.

Maryland … Had his finest game for the season, registering eleven tackles (3 solos), a 5-yard sack, two stops for minus 6 yards, a 3-yard interception return and a fumble recovery … On the game's second play from scrimmage, tailback Mario Merrills fumbled the ball on a 2-yard run and Sims recovered it at the UM 38, setting up a scoring drive that was capped by FSU's Leon Washington's 3-yard touchdown run … Assisted defensive end Kamerion Wimbley in sacking QB Sam Hollenbach for an 11-yard loss on a third-and-9 play at the start of the second quarter … On Maryland's next drive, Sims and defensive tackle Emmanuel Dunbar sacked Hollenbach for a 2-yard loss, forcing the quarterback out of the game with an injury … In the fourth quarter, Sims intercepted a pass thrown by QB Joel Statham and returned the ball 3 yards to set up fullback James Coleman's 1-yard scoring plunge with 5:33 left to play.

North Carolina State … Followed with nine tackles (1 solo) and 2.5 stops for losses of 4 yards … Assisted defensive tackle Andre Fluellen in stopping tailback Andre Brown for a 2-yard loss on a run midway through the second quarter and again tackled Brown for a 2-yard loss on a fourth quarter run.

Clemson … Made six tackles (3 solos).

Florida … Posted five tackles (3 solos) and sacked QB Chris Leak for a 5-yard loss on a third-and-13 play midway through the first quarter, forcing the Gators to punt.

Virginia Tech … Deflected three passes and made seven hits (1 solo).

Penn State (Orange Bowl) … Closed out his career with six tackles (4 solos), sacking QB Michael Robinson for a 13-yard loss on a third-and-14 play at the start of the second quarter.

ESPN All-American first-team choice … All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team pick … Played in twelve games, starting the final eleven at strong-side linebacker … Finished second on the team with a career-high 86 tackles (41 solos) … Added 4.5 sacks for minus 38 yards and nine stops for losses of 43 yards … Credited with nine quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles … Deflected five passes and blocked a kick … Helped the team rank third in the nation in rush defense (83.03 ypg), fourth in scoring defense (14.08 ppg) and seventh in total defense (283.83 ypg) … Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week in back-to-back games (vs. Virginia and Wake Forest).

Miami … Came off the bench to make three assisted tackles.

Alabama-Birmingham … Responded with five tackles (3 solos) and a pass deflection in his first career start.

Clemson … Batted away a pass and posted four hits.

North Carolina … Assisted in a stop behind the line of scrimmage and totaled ten tackles (2 solos).

Syracuse … Added five stops (4 solos).

Virginia … Registered nine tackles (7 solos) with a pair of sacks for minus 14 yards, sacking QB Marques Hagans for a 6-yard loss on a third-and-12 play in the third quarter and again for minus 8 yards in the fourth quarter … Also blocked a Scott Johnson punt in the first quarter that was recovered by FSU for a safety.

Wake Forest … Produced eight solo tackles, a 10-yard sack, two stops for losses of 14 yards and a pass deflection … Sacked QB Cory Randolph for a 10-yard loss and stopped Chris Barclay for minus 4 yards on a second quarter run.

Maryland … Made five tackles (5 solos), deflected a pass and stopped tailback Josh Allen for a 5-yard loss on a second quarter run.

Duke … Caused a fumble when he sacked QB Mike Schneider, finishing with 1.5 sacks for minus 14 yards and ten tackles (3 solos).

North Carolina State … Posted four solo tackles and a pass break-up.

Florida … Had a season-high twelve tackles (4 solos), as he caused a fumble when he stripped the ball from QB Chris Leak on a 3-yard run in the second quarter and defensive end Charles Davis recovered the ball to set up a FSU 20-yard field goal with 0:17 left in the first half.

West Virginia (Gator Bowl) … Stopped tailback Kay-Jay Harris for a 1-yard loss and had eight tackles (3 solos) with a pressure.

Played in every game as a reserve linebacker … Recorded 42 tackles (32 solos) with two stops for losses of 5 yards and three pressures … Deflected two passes and caused a fumble.

North Carolina … Made his collegiate debut with three tackles (2 solos) and a pass break-up … Caused a fumble when he tackled receiver Danny Rumley on a 14-yard third-&11 pass thrown by Matt Baker, but the ball was recovered by UNC halfback Jacque Lewis.

Duke … Posted nine tackles (7 solos).

Wake Forest … Earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after registering ten tackles (7 solos).

Notre Dame … Stopped tailback Julius Jones for a 2-yard loss and delivered six tackles (5 solos).

Miami (Orange Bowl) … Had three tackles (2 solos) and a pass deflection.

2005: On 3/30 in spring drills, Sims suffered an ankle fracture while being blocked on a running play. Sims underwent outpatient surgery on his fractured lower fibula and six weeks later, participated in the team's summer volunteer programs and was at full strength for fall practice … Suffered a concussion when he collided with a teammate while making a tackle on QB Marques Hagans after a 6-yard run with three minutes left in the Virginia contest (10/15).

Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash.

Sims was arrested with domestic battery and resisting arrest without violence charges, according to a Tallahassee police report on July 6th. During an argument with his 5-foot-2, 118-pound girlfriend, Sims allegedly "slammed her on the ground," then straddled her and repeatedly "shoved her back to the ground," the report said. He also refused the commands of police who responded to the scene, outside Osceola Hall around 4 a.m., according to police. But the girlfriend, Brooke McGriff, called the police version untrue, saying Sims never struck or body-slammed her.

In a written statement, Coach Bobby Bowden said the "athletic department's discipline policy for a misdemeanor goes into effect with Sims, and he will be subject to that until I have all the facts." That policy called for a suspension and states "discipline … will be handled by the head coach, after review by the Director of Athletics, relative to circumstances, background, as well as current and past deportment of the student-athlete involved. "If misdemeanor charges result in a sentence, which involves serving time in jail, the student-athlete involved will not be permitted to represent FSU athletics in game competition until that time was served," the policy says.

During Sims' first court appearance, he was freed on pre-trial release. On his next court date, he pleaded no contest (august 10th) to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and was ordered to serve two days of public service.

The argument with his girlfriend took place in the parking lot of their residence. According to the police report, security guard Clifton Alexander and resident assistant Hector Duarte -- both employees of the residence hall where Sims and his girlfriend reside -- stated they observed a "male with his arms wrapped around a female" and the female was yelling, "Stop" and "Get off me." The report also states that Duarte told police that at one point the male "slammed her on the ground," but the report only states that McGriff had "superficial" injuries. Sims, who was shirtless during the incident, reportedly had scratches on his chest.

The report describes Sims as being very "animated" and that after officer April Duprava (the first officer on the scene) made contact with McGriff, Sims "was still very aggressive and he continued to interfere with Officer Duprava, in spite of her commands for him to retreat".

"He didn't body-slam me," McGriff said in a quote in the Tallahassee Democrat. "He's never punched me a day in his life. I'm Sims's princess; he would never do that. We just had an argument and somebody felt like butting in, the cops or whoever called the cops. I don't know … I think they were digging for stuff that wasn't there."

At North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.) High School, Sims was rated the nation's best prep prospect in 2003 … Earned All- American honors by Parade as the top prep line-backer in the nation and USA Today All-USA second-team accolades … Named to the top 100 in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel, was a member of the Super 75 team as selected by the Florida Times Union, chosen as the best player in the south and to the All-South Top 20 by the Tampa Tribune … Earned five varsity letters at NFC, as he earned varsity spot in eighth grade … Led the Eagles to four state championships (1998-2001) during his five-year career … An incredible two-way player, he totaled 133 tackles (73 solos), 15 stops for lost yardage, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal attempt from his linebacker position and ran for 1,081 yards on 115 carries for 23 touchdowns as a running back during his senior season … Led NFC to the Class A state championship as he rushed for three touchdowns in the championship game … Recorded 180 tackles, 41 stops for losses, 12 sacks and forced seven fumbles as a linebacker and rushed for over 600 yards and 17 touchdowns as a running back during his junior season.

Environmental Studies major … Father, Ernie Jr., played football at Florida State as a running back for head coach Bobby Bowden (1977-81) while his mother, the former Alice Bennett, was an All-American sprinter on the Seminole track team from 1980-83 … Brother, Marcus, a standout running back at North Florida Christian High, recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Florida State in 2006 … Wore jersey No. 34, which was retired in honor of former Seminole great Ron Sellers. With Sellers' permission, the number was brought out of retirement at the request of the Seminole coaching staff … Born 12/23/84 … Resides in Tallahassee, Florida.