Greg McElroy buying stock in Jeff Sims at Nebraska following big spring

Greg McElroy bought stock in Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims after spring practice since the signal caller looked like the real deal in Lincoln.

After Sims transferred from Georgia Tech, there was a chance he’d become the starter. Eventually, he beat out incumbent Casey Thompson, causing the latter to transfer.

McElroy broke down what he liked about Sims with the Huskers.

“Jeff Sims, though, at Nebraska, by all accounts had a phenomenally good spring to the point in which the incumbent starter Casey Thompson, decided to actually leave the program,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “Remember, Casey Thompson started 10 games last year, and ultimately didn’t have a bad year. Didn’t have a bad year whatsoever. So if Casey Thompson realized, ‘Hey, man, I can’t beat out Jeff Sims I need to go elsewhere,’ what does that tell you about Jeff Sims?”

Last season, Sims threw for 1,115 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions, a 58.5% completion percentage, 288 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown over the course of seven games.

In his career, Sims has 4,464 yards, 30 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, a 57.5% completion percentage, 1,152 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

“And also in watching Georgia Tech, there were moments last year where it just didn’t look like Georgia Tech’s offense, especially in the first six or seven games, didn’t look like they were all on the same page,” McElroy said. “And the protection was really bad and didn’t feel like there (were) a lot of great weapons on the perimeter. 

“I’m not saying Nebraska has, you know, the Ohio State wide receivers, they don’t. But Jeff Sims showcased enough potential at Georgia Tech to make me feel like Nebraska can ride him in year No. 1 under Matt Rhule. So (I’m) very bullish on Jeff Sims. Think what we saw in the spring game might be just a glimpse of the breakthrough that could ultimately happen in the fall.”

As a member of the Class of 2020, Sims was a four-star recruit out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 41 overall prospect in Florida, the No. 18 quarterback in the class and the No. 261 overall prospect in the class.

With Sims under center at Nebraska, the Huskers ceratinly have an opportunity to have an offense molded in Rhule’s vision.

“Yeah, you know, I think he’s probably like everyone else,” head coach Matt Rhule said of Sims. “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.”