Torricelli Simpkins hopes his journey to South Carolina proves why 'this is the place to be'
He didn’t come from a big-name program or have a five-star rating to his name. He was just a good football player who flew under the radar and right into South Carolina’s lap.
Torricelli Simpkins III’s road to this point was one less common than most. Because he transferred from a smaller school like North Carolina Central, some weren’t sure what he could bring to the Gamecocks’ offensive line in 2024.
“There were just a lot of questions on if I could come and play against better competition, as people would say, because I come from an HBCU,” Simpkins said. “The whole thing was to come up here and show them that I can and show them I can dominate on any level that I want to play on, show them I can dominate with the guys that I’m with right now.”
After putting together a solid career at NC Central, Simpkins basically had to start from scratch at South Carolina. He had to prove he belonged. Going against an SEC defensive line every day in practice during the spring and summer gave him a great opportunity to do just that.
“That’s a great defensive front. They definitely got me prepared and got me ready to come up here and compete,” Simpkins said. “Going up against them every day is like playing a whole another game every day. You can’t take a play off — ever. You can’t take a play off because they’re gonna make you pay. They’re gonna make you look bad if you take that play off.”
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This wasn’t just any ordinary SEC defensive front he was facing. The Gamecocks turned out to have one of the best defensive lines in the country by season’s end. And it put Simpkins on the path to earn a starting job as South Carolina’s right guard on the offensive line.
“We all gave each other good competition,” he said. “I think like pass, Tonka (Hemingway) was very hard to block. Run, you’ve got (DeAndre) Jules, you’ve got Boog (Huntley), you’ve got TJ (Sanders). They all have everything. They’re all good at a lot of stuff. They’re all really good.”
It’s been a great season for Simpkins. He’s been the team’s most productive offensive lineman this year, allowing just two sacks and eight quarterback hurries. Amongst the starting five up front, he’s been the most efficient with a 98.4 rating.
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With the way he’s performed this season, he’s set himself up nicely for a future in the pros. After this final game, Simpkins will turn his attention to getting ready for the NFL, in hopes of a team giving him a chance. He’s gone from being an unknown player at a small school to making it big in the SEC and improving his career for the better.
He’ll wrap up his college career on Tuesday (3 p.m., ABC) when the Gamecocks face Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
While his time in Columbia has gone by quick, Simpkins hopes his journey will be helpful to others who are in in a similar position. He’s already spoken with transfers looking at South Carolina and letting them know what South Carolina can do for them.
“I talked to Nick Sharpe. He was one guy that transferred over here, a guy from Wake Forest, and I went on his visit with him. We chopped it up a little bit, told him how it’s great over here, man,” Simpkins said.
“If you want to come get better, come get coached by a great coach — Coach (Lonnie) Teasley is a great coach — get better and show what he can do, this is the place to be. You can come compete for a spot, and they’re gonna give you a chance.”
