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Nichols: For elite QB Ty Simpson, toughness and talent make him the ultimate dual-threat quarterback

Back in November, 2022 Tennessee target Ty Simpson plowed through a cold playoff game on a sprained right ankle. Most nights, that injury would have kept him on the bench. But Simpson played anyway, and his behavior during and after that game show why his value as a prospect goes far beyond an extensive offer list.

Jake Nichols

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Ty Simpson squatted at the 15-yard-line, his face buried in disappointment. With his blue helmet planted in front of him and thickly-taped cleats supporting his posture, Simpson took some time to collect himself.

After several minutes alone, then a brief period with his mother at his side, Simpson stood. He limped through the grass at South Gibson County High School, hugging teammates and shedding tears. As he walked, Simpson apologized to his friends. But he also offered a simple message, one likely produced during his solemn, solitary reflection: “We’re not going to let this happen again.”

His wording remained similar a few minutes later, as he spoke of “unfinished business” for next season.

In those few minutes, especially alone with his head lowered, Ty Simpson did not resemble a blue-chip quarterback prospect who holds offers from all 14 SEC programs.

Nor did he seem concerned about his heavily-wrapped right ankle, which featured a severe sprain and three torn ligaments at the time.

Instead, as Simpson greeted his teammates and leaned into his coach that November night, he was the same as any other quarterback who had just delivered a season-ending interception.

Westview coach Jarod Neal embraced his quarterback, Ty Simpson, after the Chargers’ season ended in a 21-17 loss in Medina, Tenn., on November 13, 2020

Simpson’s Martin Westview team had reached the second week of Tennessee’s Class 3A state playoffs, so a first-round bye for each team offered two options for that Friday: win or go home. Even with an injury, Simpson had the chance to guide his team further toward Cookeville, where the Chargers hoped to make their first state title appearance since 2001.

But doing so on an ankle that had gone into a boot two days earlier, after it had swelled to the size of a baseball? And doing so to the extent that Simpson stayed overnight with the team’s physical therapist twice that week, just so he could rehab enough to put his body on the line? 

Ty Simpson’s ankle in a picture he sent the day before Westview’s playoff game at South Gibson

“From the moment we found out it wasn’t broken, he said, ‘I’m going to play,’” said Westview coach Jarod Neal. “He was determined to find a way.”

Added Simpson: “I couldn’t let my guys down. It was a huge playoff game for us.”

When asked about that night in Medina, Tenn., the Chargers’ coach admitted he might have tried to convince his Mr. Football semifinalist to sit this one out if it hadn’t been a do-or-die situation.

Either way, Simpson insisted. He would play.

“It wasn’t about him,” said Neal. “It’s something as a coach that you’re proud of, when a guy wants to go out there for his teammates and not for himself.”

That unselfish nature is not a rarity in high school football, either. But it is especially impressive when shown by the highest-rated quarterback to come out of Tennessee in the modern recruiting era, especially considering the pain Simpson had endured all week.

“He wanted to be out there with his team,” continued Neal, “and do the best he could.”

According to his coach, Simpson’s ceiling in that playoff game “was only 50 to 60 percent” of his full ability. For reference, Simpson’s typical talent range has already landed him in the 2022 Adidas All-American Bowl, as his acceptance was announced on January 6th.

Despite his limited range that Friday, Simpson still jogged out for warm-ups. He appeared locked in and upbeat before kickoff, showing a focus that helped steer Westview to a couple of scores. For most of the night, Simpson wasn’t able to showcase his mobility. Still, his arm strength appeared just fine as he delivered strikes into his receivers’ chests.

“His pain,” said Neal, “was probably greater that night than he would ever let on to anyone.”

By the start of the fourth quarter, a field goal from new Tennessee kicker J.T. Carver had pushed Westview to a 17-7 lead. The Chargers appeared poised to put the game away, but South Gibson had other plans.

The Hornets mounted a furious comeback, taking a 21-17 lead with just over two minutes left.

With their pristinely white Under Armour uniforms smeared in dirt, Simpson and his teammates got the ball back inside their own red zone. They needed a touchdown to win.

At that moment, the final script seemed almost too perfect: an embattled young star, his team’s season hanging in the balance, playing through the pain to guide his offense through one final touchdown drive.

With 1:27 left, Simpson spun away from a potential sack. He planted his sore right leg, cocked the arm that’s captured an entire nation’s attention, and heaved a hissing leather prayer into the cold. 

An entire stadium held its breath — until a roaming safety intercepted the pass, spoiling the Chargers’ season as he tucked the ball into a black Nike jersey.

Ironically, perhaps even cruelly, Neal said that final offensive play was “the one where Ty looked most like himself.”

But instead of celebrating a dramatic win, Simpson found himself sinking toward the ground, pinned by disappointment and disbelief.

Pinned, as before, in a crouch at the 15-yard-line.

After talking with his teammates, who had since crowded into the end zone, Simpson prepared for a few questions. He sniffed a couple more times to release his final remnants of emotion. Then, he nodded, signaling the start to a video that’s available at the top of this page.

Simpson didn’t have to answer questions that night, just like he didn’t have to play those full four quarters.

Yet, he did both — with eloquence and toughness in each arena.

“It’s not about yourself,” said Simpson, who, despite his injury, placed the loss on his own 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. “It’s about the program and protecting it. I apologized to my teammates, and I apologize to Westview nation.”

Added Neal, who described Simpson’s answer in a different way: “He was taking responsibility for what happened. Even though there were other factors that went into it.”

“(Ty’s) maturity is something that he has worked on since I took the job,” continued Neal. “It was something that we had talked about being better with. (It) tells you he wants to be a good man and be known for that apart from his playing ability.”

That maturity is what first prompted this column, describing every moment from that night leading up to Simpson’s initial interview.

That way, when watching ESPN on February 26th, one might have a deeper perspective on Ty Simpson as he announces where he’ll play college football.

As the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the country, Simpson certainly has a wide range of choices.

From Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin and Dabo Swinney to Lincoln Riley, Josh Heupel, and even Simpson’s own father, UT-Martin coach Jason Simpson — every coach in the nation wants Westview’s No. 6 on his or her team.

Not just for his talent on the field. But because of the leadership, guts, and love that brought Simpson onto that field, and the growth he showed when he walked off it that Friday.

Coaches aren’t the only ones who want that type of leader, either. Offensive linemen will block all day for guys who show the grit that Simpson did, and receivers will go the extra mile for any quarterback whom they know will do the same.

Those characteristics have earned respect from Simpson’s coaches and teammates, as well as yours truly.

But the same traits have also attracted attention from his peers at other high schools — fellow members of a 2022 recruiting class that’s arguably more talented than any other group of football players ever produced in The Volunteer State.

In that stout class, Simpson is a crown jewel. Now, as he grapples with his own future, Simpson also aids others in a process he’s grown quite used to since receiving a Tennessee offer in June of 2018.

“That’s my guy,” said 2022 Milan athlete Anthony Brown, who talked with VR2 on SI in January after receiving a Vols offer near the end of December. “Ty’s been doing this for a while; I’m new to this.”

Simpson’s football recruitment officially began in seventh grade, according to The Jackson Sun. That day, his showing at a Mississippi State football camp sparked an interest that drew him away from a possible baseball career.

Four years later, Simpson’s early exposure has paid dividends. His decision appears the most impactful for the state of Tennessee’s 2022 class, as well as the state’s flagship program. 

The other vital pieces for UT are as follows: 

- Christian Brothers running back Dallan Hayden, a 2020 Mr. Football winner and the son of UT legend Aaron Hayden

- St. Benedict at Auburndale defensive lineman Walter Nolen, who is the top prospect in the nation and whose head coach is former Tennessee defensive lineman Marlon Walls.

Interviews with Hayden and Nolen can be seen here and here, respectively. Moreover, their essentiality does not discount Tennessee’s need for other 2022 in-state targets Kaydin Pope, Kaden Martin, Jaylen Lewis, Keaten Wade, Fisher Anderson and Isaiah Horton, among several others.

There are also several potential UT assets that have not yet received many offers. One such example is Milan linebacker Antwain (A.J.) Barham, a teammate of Brown’s, who netted 86 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception during his junior season. 

As for Simpson, new Tennessee coach Josh Heupel will run a high-octane offense that could thrive with the Martin native at its nucleus. After reiterating how he wants to “lock down” The Volunteer State, Heupel can’t afford to miss on the in-state quarterback gem, whose former Westview teammate, Carver, is already on the Vols’ roster for the 2021 class.

Two weeks before his announcement, Simpson made an appearance on Nashville radio station 104.5 The Zone to discuss his recruitment and thoughts on Tennessee.

His first acknowledgement? The rabid fan base. 

“The fans, I love Tennessee fans, they are very passionate,” he said. “They always have Tennessee’s back regardless of whether they go 0-12 or 12-0.”

Simpson was also asked whether the Vols’ regime change had caused any decline in his relationship with UT. 

“Not at all,” he responded, and for good reason — Simpson has spoken with Josh Heupel on several occasions.

Unfortunately for Tennessee’s new coach, Simpson’s pedigree means that Saban, Kiffin and a few other coaches remain in the hunt, too.

Southeastern Conference schools aren’t the only ones jockeying for Simpson’s commitment, either, although they do make up the majority of the Top 10 list that he released in early December. Notre Dame turned in an offer on January 22nd, becoming one of the tardier programs to pull the trigger. Moreover, Clemson, which Simpson discussed to great length in the video above, has seemed to garner a good bit of the quarterback’s attention. 

One also can’t forget Simpson’s family ties. As mentioned, Ty’s father is Jason Simpson, who played at Mississippi State and now serves as the head coach at The University of Tennessee at Martin. 

When asked how his dad’s coaching experience has aided in his recruitment, Simpson’s response was immediate.

“It’s helped me a ton,” he told VR2 on SI in November. “I know what (the process) is like. He helps he determine what’s real and not real.”

But that help with decision-making isn’t necessarily what keeps the elder Simpson’s team in the chase for his son. Rather, it is the younger Simpson’s comfort level and familiarity with the Skyhawks that has allowed UT-Martin to be the only FCS program included in Ty’s Top 10.

“I’ve been there all my life,” said Simpson of his dad’s program. As he uttered those words, Simpson wore the jersey of a school located just seven minutes from the Skyhawks’ Hardy M. Graham Stadium, which serves as home turf for both father and son.

To reiterate the gunslinger’s familiarity with the Skyhawks’ program, one need only look to this picture from Neyland Stadium:

Contrary to the photo’s caption, young Ty was not dressed as “a volunteer” that day. 

Instead, as his dad’s team faced Tennessee in a football cathedral where the entire state goes to worship, Simpson sported UT-Martin blue amidst a sea of UT-Knoxville orange.

Regardless of his quarterback’s decision, though, Westview coach Jarod Neal said the school that gains Simpson’s signature will get “a great person that cares about his teammates, cares about his coaches, cares about the community that he’s in.”

“Somebody that works hard,” continued Neal, “that’s not going to take everything for granted.”

That type of player is sure to do well at the next level. And, with Simpson’s talent, he could go even further.

It might be risky to look ahead that much, though. Simpson certainly isn’t, at least if he holds the same mindset as when he put his ankle on the line for a junior-year playoff performance three months ago.

Right now, Simpson’s greatest decision comes down to his announcement on the 26th. That commitment will be the quarterback’s final one, as he mentioned he’s finished with recruitment after the announcement.

In the meantime, Simpson is busy with off-season workouts, as he exercises on a right ankle that his coach said is now “healed and healthy.” 

Each day in the weight room, Simpson works toward the unfinished business he referenced in November. But he’s made sure to lead others in that process, in the same way he’s offered advice to friends about their recruitment. 

“That’s something me and him talk about,” Neal said of the conditioning work. “‘You have this status. You are looked at way different than anybody else. You have to set yourself apart with the way you work and set the standard.’”

“So far,” added Neal, “that has happened.”

That effect probably won’t stop anytime soon. Simpson will be working from now through his announcement date, then right up to the opening kickoff for his final high school season.

Because, as many titles as Simpson has earned in his young career — No. 2 dual-threat quarterback, 5-star talent, Adidas All-American, fearless field general — there’s still one accolade he’s missing: state champion.

Maybe that’s the Hollywood ending he’s meant to have. At least for this chapter, anyway.

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Jake Nichols
JAKE NICHOLS

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