NFL Draft 2013 results: John Simon selected by Baltimore Ravens with 129th pick

With the 129th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end John Simon. Simon is the No. 127-rated player in the draft rankings from SB Nation's Dan Kadar and the 16th-rated defensive end.

Simon was called the heart and soul of Ohio State by Urban Meyer early and of ten throughout the 2012 season (despite being hampered by a littany of injuries). Though he'd miss the team's year ending game against Michigan, Simon's star shined the brightest in the penultimate contest against Wisconsin when in spite of his maladies, he seemed to almost will Ohio State's defense into staying in the eventual win with four sacks.

He becomes the second defensive lineman taken by the Ravens joining Brandon Williams from Missouri Southern State. He's the fourth overall defensive pick, unsurprising given that the world champion Ravens have made their name on defense. Their first round pick was former Urban Meyer recruit Matt Elam and their second rounder was Kansas State ILB Arthur Brown.

The former Ohio State captain is unlikely to be a starter from day one, but should add depth to a team losing future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. The Ravens had previously added Elvis Dumervil to play Sam, where Simon may factor in to the Ravens' 3-4, and some have speculated that they might move last year's sometime starter Courtney Upshaw inside. It's also possible Simon will get some run at Rush LB behind all-everything LB Terrell Suggs.

On a prospect profile by SB Nation, the following was written about Simon:

Simon closed out a brilliant Ohio State career with this year's 12-0 teams: as SB Nation's Land-Grant Holy Land wrote, coaches and teammates alike praised him as a leader in a year that culminated with the honor for his conference's best defensive player. He showed ability to play on both ends and even put his hand on the ground as a defensive tackle from time to time.

Combine results

Height: 6-1
Weight: 257 lbs.
Hand size: 9.50 inches

Simon had an outstanding year in 2012, named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for Ohio State. Simon is a blue-collar type guy, earning all 45 tackles and nine sacks that he recorded last year.

It will be interesting to see how far will and work ethic get Simon in the NFL combined with his considerable skill set. With the right team and opportunity, there might be no stopping his rise to stardom.

SB Nation's Matt Verderame contributed to this report.