Elite QB Ty Simpson sees a chance to be a 'program changer', enjoys one of the best atmospheres in college football during Tennessee visit

Tennessee played host to several top targets across multiple classes yesterday for their SEC showdown against Georgia. One top target in attendance for the game was 2022 QB, Ty Simpson. The in-state, gunslinger enjoyed his visit to Knoxville and discusses that and more here.

Simpson is already a highly-rated quarterback in the initial 247 Sports release for the 2022 class. He is rated as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation.

Simpson is already familiar with the Vols and has strong in-state ties, as his dad (Jason Simpson) is the head coach at UT-Martin. Simpson said of the visit to Knoxville yesterday, “When I walked in the locker room for pre-game it felt like a different vibe. You could tell that everybody was excited and talking about it, not just down. I felt like that played a big part in yesterday’s game.”

Simpson said of the crowd atmosphere at Saturday night’s game, “it is one of the best atmospheres in all of college football for sure. When Neyland stadium is filled up and people are going at it, it is crazy. I feel that Georgia felt that yesterday because of the penalties. You could tell them could not function at times because of the false starts penalties, and stuff like that. Georgia was not ready for that. It is a big part of college football games.

Simpson, like most other recruits, was keyed in on the position that he is being recruited at by the Vols. Last night, as you all know, the Vols started true Freshman Brian Maurer. Simpson already has a bond with the signal-caller and was impressed by his showing.

Simpson said on Maurer and the decision for the staff to start him, “It tells me that they have confidence in their Freshmen. Brian and I talk a lot every time I go up there and are pretty good friends. I was proud of the way he played yesterday. Coach Chaney was very impressed with the way he stepped in and led that offensive to a close game in the first half. It gives me confidence in myself that if I go to Tennessee that I have a chance to start and play as a Freshman.”

Simpson said of the Vols message to him early on, “they are recruiting me as a program-changer, quote-unquote, they feel like I can change the program. That feels good coming from a coaching staff with their pedigree. Coach Chaney, Coach Pruitt, and Coach Weinke are some top-line guys, that have coached at the highest level of college football. That really means a lot coming from them. Them being the home-state school and welcoming me with open arms is very heart-warming. “

Simpson is in the early stages of his recruitment, but the touted signal-caller is already feeling some pressure to stay at home. He said of this, “Oh my gosh, it is crazy. Everywhere I go in Martin (TN), if I do not wear my Tennessee wrist bands they go crazy. They would love to see me go to Tennessee and compete for my state school. They know that I have other opportunities like Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, Penn State, and other top-line programs, but they also know that Tennessee is where I live and where I’m from and they know I would not get the same support if I didn’t go to Tennessee. It is kind of awesome, and crazy at the same time. Just because of how passionate these Tennessee fans are. It is a good problem to have.”
Simpson holds 21 offers from colleges across the nation and has a chance to be a program defining quarterback at each stop. When asked in his own words of what he brings to the table, he said, “I feel like I bring confidence with the way I play. Also, the way I have been around college football for so long. My dad is a head coach for goodness sake. I have been around his program and the way the game is for many years. I feel like I could bring my smarts to the table, I feel like I could run coach Chaney’s offense and would be a good fit. My dad thinks the two of them think just alike. He helps me a lot with the reads and defenses. Finally, I could bring that extra juice. In-state kid going to put his school back on the map. Just the confidence, smarts, and that juice, It can’t get better for a quarterback than that.