Linebacker Trenton Simpson is an SI All-American
6-3, 225 pound linebackers with length and three-down ability are the types that are selected very early each NFL Draft, and Clemson commitment Trenton Simpson fits the profile on and off the field.
He’s got great length and raw athleticism but has an all-around game that makes him look like a veteran at an early stage.
Coming up as a running back, Simpson transitioned to linebacker with such ease in high school because of his vision and striking ability.
It means he’s very suited to play inside linebacker in college but there’s even more intrigue here on the outside.
Good length and a feel for coming off the edge, which led to 20-plus sacks in 2019 as an occasional rusher, makes Simpson an ideal three-down candidate.
He can rush the passer, play the run and cover, ideal traits for the position in this day and age. In terms of overall athleticism and play-making ability, he also put in over 1000 yards running the ball as a senior for Mallard Creek, one of the top prep programs in the country.
2019 SI All-American Offensive Team:
QB Bryce Young, Alabama (Why Young? Highlights)
RB Demarckus Bowman, Clemson (Why Bowman? Highlights)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech (Why Gibbs? Highlights)
WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State (Why Fleming? Highlights)
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Why Smith-Njigba? Highlights)
WR Malachi Wideman, FSU (Why Wideman? Highlights)
TE Arik Gilbert, LSU (Why Gilbert? Highlights)
OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Why Johnson? Highlights)
OL Tate Ratledge, UGA (Why Ratledge? Highlights)
OL Javion Cohen, Alabama (Why Cohen? Highlights)
OL Issiah Walker, Florida (Why Walker? Highlights)
OL Nate Anderson, Oklahoma (Why Anderson? Highlights)
ATH Kristian Story, Alabama (Why Story? Highlights)
2019 SI All-American Defensive Team:
DL Demonte Capehart, Clemson (Why Capehart? Highlights)
DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson (Why Bresee? Highlights)
DL Gervon Dexter, Florida (Why Dexter? Highlights)
DL Jordan Burch, Uncommitted (Why Burch? Highlights)
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (Why Simpson? Highlights)
LB Justin Flowe, Uncommitted (Why Flowe? Highlights)
LB Demouy Kennedy, Alabama (Why Kennedy? Highlights)
DB Elias Ricks, LSU (Why Ricks? Highlights)
DB Kelee Ringo, Uncommitted (Why Ringo? Highlights)
DB Clark Phillips, Ohio State (Why Phillips? Highlights)
DB Enzo Jennings, Penn State (Why Jennings? Highlights)
ATH Avantae Williams, Uncommitted (Why Williams? Highlights)