'He got a standing ovation' - Former Tennessee Vols defender is making a unique impression as a rookie in NFL training camp

Former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Elijah Simmons is hoping to make the Arizona Cardinals' 53-man roster this fall.

Simmons, who played at Tennessee from 2019 to 2024, was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Memphis product could have a role as a space-eating interior defender in Arizona's defense. Simmons, at 340 lbs, has the size to create some issues in the trenches.

Simmons' size, however, isn't what has folks at training camp talking.

The former Vol has apparently been impressing coaches and teammates with his singing voice.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, in fact, noted this week that Simmons' singing performance at the Cardinals' rookie talent show received a standing ovation.

"He sang," said Gannon when asked about Simmons. "He sang. And then, it was so good, he got a standing ovation. And then he was about to sit down, and they said, 'Get back up there and keep singing'. So it was good. We had some dessert food trucks out there. A little bit of a take a breath before this week, because they know it's serious and we got to be locked in now."