Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cardinals rookie LB setting up to be Kyzir White replacement

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 9:40 PM ET

GLENDALE – Despite the highly-praised offseason for the Arizona Cardinals, not re-signing Kyzir White after a career year has fans and analysts concerned how they’re going to replace that production. White led the teams in tackles and was the green dot for the defense. Despite the lackluster output from that side of the ball, the 29-year-old linebacker was a bright spot.

General manager Monti Ossenfort couldn’t meet White’s asking price and searched to replace him in the draft. 100+ tackle linebackers don’t grow on trees, but they see to grow at Ohio State, with Ossenfort drafting Cody Simon in the 4th round. Simon has been in the franchise for only a few months, but has already made a stellar first impression with the coaching staff to be that next anchor.

Weinfuss on Simon’s first impression with Cardinals coaching staff:

“The 2025 fourth-round pick has made a quick impression on coach Jonathan Gannon in a short amount of time. He’s taken on the responsibility of wearing the green dot, which has added to the steep learning curve that comes with a player’s first year in the NFL, but Gannon has praised Simon’s ability to learn quickly from his mistakes.

Simon was the defensive MVP in the 2024 national championship game and is a four-year starter at the prestigious Ohio State. As a Buckeye, he recorded 259 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. In his senior season Simon the 12th-most tackles by a Power-4 player with 112. The 23-year-old has experience and is ready to learn, which head coach Jonathan Gannon has noticed.

“He’s definitely flashed here,” Gannon said. “We got him playing a couple different spots, so that’s good. He is playing on fourth down right now, so he is learning all that. He’s eager to learn. He doesn’t make mistakes twice and he’s got juice. He’s physical, just like all those guys. Long way to go. But I like where he is at.”

Simon’s 4.59 40-yard dash at Ohio State Pro Day, would’ve ranked 10th at the NFL combine, with his shuttle time of 4.30 being top five. The 6’2 linebacker has the speed and his 21 reps of 225 makes him tied for the fourth-strongest in this year’s draft class. The raw intangibles are there, and add in his extensive IQ and experience on the field, Simon could be a star in the making.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: