Clemson football: 4-star QB target compared to Johnny Manziel

4-star Clemson football QB target compared to Johnny Manziel

The top 2022 quarterback target for the Clemson football program is 4-star Ty Simpson, a native of Martin, Tennessee.

Simpson is rated as the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the nation and the No. 42 player overall nationally, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Player Rankings. Simpson is rated as the No. 2 overall player in the state of Tennessee.

He has garnered more than 35 offers from Power-5 programs and just recently picked up an offer from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Though Notre Dame has ground to make up in his recruitment, it’s clear that the Irish will join a list of just a few teams- including Clemson, Tennessee and Alabama- that will have at least an opportunity to gain a commitment from the star-studded quarterback.

247 Sports’ Irish Illustrated recently talked with Thomas Morris of QB Country– one of the premier spots for high school, college and professional quarterbacks to train- about what Simpson might bring to the table for the college he ultimately decides to attend.

Morris made a comparison that we made just a few weeks ago when he compared Simpson’s play-making ability to former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel.

"“You watch his film and you can see the talent. There’s not a throw he can’t make. There’s not a platform he can’t throw off of,” Morris said about Simpson. “He can run multiple offenses, he can be pro-style guy, he can be more of a spread dual-threat guy. Like I said, when you watch his film, he can run a whole offense or he can make plays and survive kind of like a Johnny Manziel type of guy. So, when you have a guy that can do multiple things and do everything you ask of him, and there’s literally not a throw he can’t make, I think he’s special. He’s different. He’s special. There’s not much Ty can’t do, to be completely honest.”"

Clemson football is considered to have the ‘inside edge’ on Simpson as we head into the spring

Simpson has had nothing but good things to say about Tennessee during his recruitment and it seemed as if the Vols were his favorite for a while with the Tigers coming in second, right ahead of Alabama in third.

After the complete circus at Tennessee and the fact that the Vols hired UCF coach Josh Heupel- who has basically no relationship with Simpson- has many experts believing Clemson is now the team to beat. Though, it should be said that Simpson has slowed down his recruitment and won’t be likely to make a decision anytime soon until he sees how all situations unfold.

As we look at Simpson’s film, it’s easy to see why Clemson has targeted him so heavily. He is a legitimate dual-threat QB who can make plays with his scrambling ability, as well as find receivers down the field.

There are certain throws he makes that we only see a handful of college quarterbacks make and he would absolutely benefit from growing in Clemson’s system and stepping up as the next quarterback after D.J. Uiagalelei.