Jeff Sims lists biggest goal entering 2023 season at Nebraska

Jeff Sims brings quite a bit of experience to the Nebraska quarterback room. He started all three years at Georgia Tech before transferring after the 2022 season, and he could get a fair share of reps since Casey Thompson will be “pretty limited” as he comes back from surgery.

That should allow him to check off his top goal entering 2023: learn everything.

“I think the focus for me was just learning how to master everything,” Sims said. “Learning ow to master the playbook, mechanics, all that just so I can be more consistent than I’ve ever been. And that’s been one of my biggest goals coming into this offseason, going into this spring and going into next season. Just building that consistency each day.”

Sims put up solid numbers at Georgia Tech last year, throwing for a team-high 1,115 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. On the whole in his three years with the Yellow Jackets, he played in 25 games, throwing for 4,464 yards and 30 touchdowns.

So far, through spring practice, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule likes what he sees. He said while Sims is still learning as he goes — like many other Cornhuskers as Rhule prepares for his first year with the program — he sees a high upside for the transfer quarterback.

“You know, I think he’s probably like everyone else,” Rhule told reporters earlier this week. “He’s trying to learn the system, learn the footwork, everything’s new for him. You know, I think Jeff brings a dynamic element into the game and that he can throw and run and he’s really smart and he’s a great teammate. And I think the guys really like him. I think he has natural leadership capabilities. So I’m excited to see what he does. 

“Every day has been a little bit different. He started off throwing it and then Thursday, we ran at a time and Saturday, we mixed it. Today we finished with you know, two minute drills and stuff like that. So Jeff has a ton of potential, he just needs these reps to get comfortable.”

After entering the portal, Sims came in as the No. 18-ranked quarterback to transfer during the first window, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. He joins a quarterback room that includes Thompson and Chubba Purdy, giving Nebraska three transfer quarterbacks on the roster.

Nebraska’s spring game is coming up April 10.