Trenton Simpson LB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Trenton Simpson LB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/21/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.43 seconds (98%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.5 DOB: 06/14/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |
| Last Updated: 03/21/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 4.43 seconds (98%*) | |
| Age: 23.5 DOB: 06/14/2001 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 87.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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81% |
| Pass Rush: |
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76% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
| Coverage: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#33
Position rank:
#4
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1474 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 99/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 86 (BAL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Trenton Simpson from Mallard Creek High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Simpson joined Clemson after being heavily recruited due to hi elite physical gifts.In 2020 as a freshman Simpson saw action in 11 games and played a total of 283 snaps at linebacker for the Tigers. He recorded 16 tackles, 3 assists, while adding 15 stops. In coverage Simpson had no pass breakups, no interceptions, and an unimpressive QB rating when targetted of 137.8. As a pass rusher, he added 17 total pressures, which included 7 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 3 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Tigers in 2021 Simpson played in 13 games and took part in 569 snaps for the Tigers. He recorded 52 tackles, 4 assists while adding an impressive 35 stops. In coverage Simpson a solid QB rating when targetted of 82.2. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 31 total pressures, and 11 QB hurries, 13 QB hits, and 7 sacks during the year.
In 2022 as a junior Simpson played in 12 games and contributed on 622 snaps. He recorded 51 tackles, 17 assists while making 29 stops. In coverage, Simpson chalked up a QB rating when targetted of 96.5. As a pass rusher his production fell off, as he produced 16 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the year.
Honors & awards
2022- 2022: Butkus Award semifinalist
- Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist
- Third-team All-ACC selection
- Earned third-team All-ACC honors from Phil Steele
- Credited with 77 tackles (4.0 for loss), tied for third-most on the team, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 616 defensive snaps over 12 games (all starts)
- Ranked third on the team with 78 tackles and finished second in both tackles for loss (12.0) and sacks (6.0) while also adding three pass breakups over 556 snaps in 13 games (12 starts)
- All-ACC Academic Team selection
- Earned all-conference selections from PFF (second team) and Phil Steele (third team)
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Showed initial quickness and good flexibility to dip and bend. Simpson has active hands and suddenness to his movements, demonstrating the ability to counter inside.
- Shows a burst to close. Flashes explosive hitting ability and good lateral and downfield pursuit.
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #29. He wrote, "The 6-3, 240-pounder, who only has 6 percent body fat, ranked third on the team with 78 tackles and finished second in both tackles for loss (12.0) and sacks (six). Simpson bench-presses 375 pounds, power-cleaned 355 and has vertical-jumped 35 inches and done 10-2 on the broad jump. More impressively, Tigers coaches say he has run the 40 in the high 4.3s, which includes a 10-yard split under 1.5 seconds."
- Handles misdirection well with quick change-of-direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when Simpson has an open lane.
- Simpson will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ballcarrier.
- He’s a sure and violent wrap-up tackler with sideline-to-sideline range. He’s an excellent tackler in space, showing loose hips and the ability to break down and contain runners.
- He’s a fluid mover in pursuit as well, capable of moving down the line and making plays in pursuit.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- As good as Simpson is attacking downhill, he can get overaggressive and overrun plays, opening up cutback lanes for counter runs.
- Simpson lacks the ability to drop weight and anchor against the run, often getting manhandled at the point of attack.
- Had a down year in 2002, where he was taken out of the game a number of times. He suffered drops in all elements of his game as a pass rusher
- He’s perfectly capable of converting speed into power when he gets to the ball, but too often he slips off tackles or turns into a grab-and-drag tackler rather than a hitter, failing to keep his legs driving through the hit.
- Simpson wasn't asked to stack much at the second level
- Will probably need to add muscle mass to his frame to stand up at the next level
- Must Improve his hands when taking on blocks
- He must develop more disciplined in man-to-man coverage
Scouting Report: Summary
Trenton Simpson is the top linebacker prospect in the 2023 NFL draft class. His impressive physique belies his 240 pounds and he is highly versatile in coverage. Over the past two seasons, he has only allowed 353 yards on 66 targets (5.3 yards per target). However, he is still a work in progress and may struggle with some of the more intricate roles of a linebacker in the NFL and not just rely on his supreme natural athletic ability. He needs to work on negotiating blocks and striking at the right point of attack to be successful.It can't be ignored that he regressed a little in 2022 at a time when expectations were sky-high and this may have some teams dropping him on their boards as a result. Despite this, it's unlikely Simpson will drop out of the first round, and has all the potential to become a pro bowl-level player.
Trenton Simpson percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Trenton Simpson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
46.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
7.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.