Jaylin Simpson on leading the nation in picks: 'I'd rather have wins than interceptions'
AUBURN — Jaylin Simpson leads the nation in interceptions, sitting at four after only five games. This comes after making a recent position change from cornerback earlier in his career to full-time safety. It’s been awfully impressive to watch.
Simpson was a standout 4-star prospect at Frederica Academy in St. Simons Island, Ga. He played quarterback on offense and everywhere in the secondary on defense. Simpson always believed he had the talent to produce interceptions, but sure didn’t think it would be coming from the safety position.
“If you told me I would have ended up playing safety in college, I would have been like, nah,” Simpson said on Tuesday. “I never thought I would be playing safety and having this much success at it. It is a good feeling, what is going on right now, but I am really trying to get some wins.”
Simpson loves his role at safety in Ron Roberts‘ defense.
“It’s been fun so far to this point,” Simpson said. “You know, I’d rather have wins than interceptions, but that’s just how it goes. I have been having fun with our guys. We are getting better every week. That’s what matters: constantly progressing every week. I just hope we continue to keep climbing the ladder and get the job done on the road this week.”
Simpson talked about that dreadful fourth quarter against Georgia in which Brock Bowers had 121 yards receiving and a touchdown in the final 15 minutes alone. Simpson, hobbled with a wrap around his calf, noticed a change in where Bowers was lining up as the game went on.
“I wasn’t worried about him, he wasn’t on my mind or anything like that,” Simpson said. “You know when he is on your side, it’s like Where’s Waldo, where is he at? I noticed, they started moving him away from the field and more to the boundary in the second half, which made me mad. I wasn’t too worried about him, you just have to know where he is because they want to get the ball to him. Really wish I had been in there that last quarter of the game.”
As an intelligent player would do, Simpson spent last Saturday on the couch watching the entirety of LSU at Missouri, a game in which LSU squeaked out 49-39.
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“We got a head start. We got to watch them play. I sat on my couch and watched the whole game. I was even replaying certain plays. We got guys healthy and got a head start, so it is always good. We are already picking up tendencies and tips, we got that early before we start our Tuesday practice. It is fresh on our mind.
“For the DB group, if he does get out we have to plaster. Stay with our man, or whatever coverage we are in, just make sure we stay on our keys. Dude is good. I like how he plays. He’s tough, he gets hit a lot and gets right back up. He has tough receivers around him, so it will be fun.”
One thing is clear: Jayden Daniels isn’t the same quarterback that threw for under 100 yards against Auburn one year ago, and the LSU offense isn’t the same group that barely managed 21 points in that come-from-behind win either.
“I think he just has a better connection with his receivers. They seem to be on the same page all the time. I think they just have that chemistry and charisma together. I think he is just playing good football right now.”
