Skip to main content

'Freak' Trenton Simpson will have monster year for Tigers

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly07/30/21

MattConnollyOn3

Trenton Simpson
Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson played running back in high school. (Trenton Simpson/Twitter)

CLEMSON — Clemson football’s season opener against Georgia is right around the corner. College football season will be here before we know it, and ClemsonSports.com is helping you get ready by counting down the 25 most important players for Clemson in 2021. Up next: No. 9 Trenton Simpson.

‘Freak’ Trenton Simpson will have monster year for Tigers

Trenton Simpson almost didn’t end up at Clemson.

Despite being a five-star recruit, the Tigers weren’t sure they would have room for him in their 2020 recruiting class.

Ultimately Clemson did, offering Simpson in December of 2019. He committed shortly thereafter and signed with the Tigers just a few days later.

It’s safe to say the move is working out for both Simpson and Clemson.

The Charlotte native immediately made an impact for the Tigers last season, finishing with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks while appearing in all 12 games.

As the season progressed, he clearly gained confidence and looked like one of the best athletes on Clemson’s roster. He’s moving into a starting role this year as the Nickel/Sam and could be a star for the Tigers sooner rather than later.

If you don’t know much about Trenton Simpson yet, you will soon.

“Freak,” senior linebacker James Skalski said of how he’d describe Simpson. “Obviously used him in all sorts of ways last year, and I think that’s just going to continue to happen.”

Clemson-Tigers-football-defense

Trenton Simpson (22) will be a big part of the Clemson defense this fall. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Simpson can rush the passer, drop back in coverage or help in run support. He’s a legit do-it-all linebacker.

His 6.5 tackles for loss last season were tied for the third-most on the team with ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Bryan Bresee. His 4 sacks were tied for second on the team.

Top 10

  1. 1

    RIP Ben

    Kirk Herbstreit announces dog's passing

  2. 2

    Billy Napier

    Florida to retain head coach

    Breaking
  3. 3

    Livvy Dunne - Paul Skenes

    ESPN College GameDay Guest Pickers

  4. 4

    Live Tiger returns

    LSU set to bring back real tiger vs. Alabama

  5. 5

    Florida fans react

    Gators faithful react to Billy Napier news

    Live
View All

Simpson put up impressive numbers, despite only starting three games and playing 281 snaps. For comparison, fellow linebacker Baylon Spector played 517. Simpson’s numbers should be much better this year in a full-time role.

“Inside, outside, D-end. He can attack people and use his ability in many different ways,” Skalski said. “If you know [Venables] you know he’s going to find a way to do that.”

The last player who Venables moved all over the field was Isaiah Simmons, who went on to be a top-10 overall pick.

It’s unfair to put those kind of expectations on Simpson, but he’s certainly more than capable of having a monster year and career for the Tigers.

“Trenton is just as talented but in his own unique way,” Skalski said.

Clemson football most important players for 2021

No. 25: B.T. Potter

No. 24: K.J. Henry

No. 23: Mario Goodrich

No. 22: Lannden Zanders

No. 21: Will Putnam

No. 20: E.J. Williams

No. 19: Xavier Thomas

No. 18: Hunter Rayburn

No. 17: Baylon Spector

No. 16: Braden Galloway

No. 15: Walker Parks

No. 14: Nolan Turner

No. 13: Sheridan Jones

No. 12: Joseph Ngata

No. 11: Matt Bockhorst

No. 10: Lyn-J Dixon

No. 9: Trenton Simpson