Clemson football: Simpson on a mission

Trenton Simpson’s move to weakside linebacker for Clemson football in 2022 is a success, at least early on in the process.

The athletic, 6’3, 220 pounder from Charlotte, North Carolina finished last season third on the team in tackles with 78 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 PBUs and 11 QB hurries from the Nickel/SAM spot in the Tigers defense.

The move to the WILL Linebacker spot comes with big aspirations for Simpson entering his junior season and with an eye on the NFL draft in the spring of 2023.

"“I want to go out there and have an All-American season, Butkus Award (given to the nation’s top linebacker), just go out there and be the best leader I can, and I’m going to lay it all out on the field every game,” Simpson said. “Every day, come to practice, keep building, and everything will take care of itself.”"

For his part, defensive coordinator Wes Goodwyn wants Simpson closer to the line due to his physical prowess.

"“He’s an unbelievable athlete as you guys have seen — explosive, physical, violent, great blitzer, cover guy. Just getting him more involved in the box game,” Goodwin said. “It’s been a process. When you’re out on the edge, your vision is different. You’re looking at things outside in, where, in the box, you have to play with big vision. Just learning how to train my eyes on things to key and how to sort things out."

I admit some concern about the linebacking corps without James Skalski in the middle for the first time in six years, but I also recognize that the group should be faster and more athletic, even if it’s  incrementally.

There was a comfort level with Skalski in the middle, knowing not only would he be in the right place at the right time, but he’d do his best to have others aligned properly.

However, with Barrett Carter primed to take over at Nickel/SAM and Simpson on the weakside, whoever ends up in Skalski’s place should be just fine.