Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson headed to NFL

Clemson junior linebacker Trenton Simpson is declaring for the NFL draft, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Wednesday morning.

Simpson is currently in Clemson but was injured in the ACC title game against North Carolina. He will not play in the bowl game.

According to Thamel, Simpson said that he can run a 4.4 and has a 40-inch vertical. He is currently rated as ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s No. 3 inside linebacker.

Simpson is versatile, having played both Will and Sam for the Tigers this season.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney spoke about Simpson and his future on Tuesday.

“Trenton’s here, but he’s hurt. Trenton’s not going to be able to play. It’s not because he’s not here or gone pro or all that stuff. He can’t play. He’ll probably be ready in about three weeks,” Swinney said. “But that’s probably going to be about right at kickoff time or right after. He missed a game battling the ankle, and then reinjured it in the championship game.”

Trenton Simpson finished with 8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hurries for Clemson in the ACC title game against North Carolina, playing back in his home city of Charlotte.

The junior finishes the season with 77 tackles, which ranks second on the Tigers team. He has 4 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

“I didn’t think he was going back in, to be honest with you. But next thing I know he’s over there tapping me on the shoulder saying, ‘Coach, I gotta go.’ He rubbed some dirt on it, taped it up and finished,” Swinney said of the ACC title game.

“It would’ve been real easy for him to kind of stay on that sideline. Fortunately he’s not going to have to have surgery. … but it’s probably about three weeks before he’s going to be ready to play.”

Simpson is the second Clemson defender to declare for the NFL draft, joining defensive end Myles Murphy, who did so Tuesday.