Ernie Sims
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Career Summary
Ernie Sims is a former NFL linebacker and current Florida State assistant coach. NFL statistics credit him with 109 games, 552 tackles, 5.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.
Ernie Sims is a former NFL linebacker and current Florida State assistant coach. NFL statistics credit him with 109 games, 552 tackles, 5.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.
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Early Life
Sims is a Tallahassee native. Florida State lists North Florida Christian as his high school and reports that he was rated the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2003.
Sims is a Tallahassee native. Florida State lists North Florida Christian as his high school and reports that he was rated the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2003.
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High School
At North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, Sims became one of the country’s most coveted recruits before signing with Florida State. The Seminoles identified him as the No. 1 overall national recruit in the 2003 class.
At North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, Sims became one of the country’s most coveted recruits before signing with Florida State. The Seminoles identified him as the No. 1 overall national recruit in the 2003 class.
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Sources for this section
College Career
Sims played three seasons at Florida State from 2003 through 2005. He helped the Seminoles win 27 games and two ACC championships, earned first-team All-America honors in 2004, and finished with 200 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Sims played three seasons at Florida State from 2003 through 2005. He helped the Seminoles win 27 games and two ACC championships, earned first-team All-America honors in 2004, and finished with 200 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
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Path to the NFL
Detroit selected Sims ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists him as a linebacker from Florida State.
Detroit selected Sims ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists him as a linebacker from Florida State.
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Sources for this section
NFL Career
Sims played for Detroit from 2006 through 2009, Philadelphia in 2010, Indianapolis in 2011 and Dallas in 2012 and 2013. His NFL career totaled 109 games and 87 starts.
Sims played for Detroit from 2006 through 2009, Philadelphia in 2010, Indianapolis in 2011 and Dallas in 2012 and 2013. His NFL career totaled 109 games and 87 starts.
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Career Accomplishments
Sims recorded at least 99 tackles in each of his first three NFL seasons, including a high of 113 in 2007. He added 51 tackles and two sacks for Philadelphia in 2010 and finished with 552 career tackles.
Sims recorded at least 99 tackles in each of his first three NFL seasons, including a high of 113 in 2007. He added 51 tackles and two sacks for Philadelphia in 2010 and finished with 552 career tackles.
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Sources for this section
Playing Style
Sims played linebacker throughout his NFL career after starring at strongside linebacker for Florida State. NFL.com lists him at 6 feet and 233 pounds, and his production included tackles, sacks, pass breakups and forced fumbles.
Sims played linebacker throughout his NFL career after starring at strongside linebacker for Florida State. NFL.com lists him at 6 feet and 233 pounds, and his production included tackles, sacks, pass breakups and forced fumbles.
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Legacy
Sims’ Florida State legacy includes All-America recognition, two ACC championships and a No. 9 overall draft selection. He returned after his NFL career to complete his social-science degree in 2018.
Sims’ Florida State legacy includes All-America recognition, two ACC championships and a No. 9 overall draft selection. He returned after his NFL career to complete his social-science degree in 2018.
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Post-Career
After retiring from the NFL in 2014, Sims began a coaching career that included roles at FAU, South Florida and UCF. Florida State hired him as an analyst in 2024, assistant linebackers coach in 2025 and linebackers coach in 2026.
After retiring from the NFL in 2014, Sims began a coaching career that included roles at FAU, South Florida and UCF. Florida State hired him as an analyst in 2024, assistant linebackers coach in 2025 and linebackers coach in 2026.
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Sources for this section
21206, 00-0024224, 1984-12-23, Ernie Sims, Ernie, Sims
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